Cheshire East Council has pledged to become a carbon neutral borough by 2045, and Macclesfield Nub News have challenged this pledge in a series of questions.

The council has already committed to both becoming carbon neutral in its own operations by 2025 and influencing carbon reduction across the borough.

This new commitment builds on that ambition – pledging to make the entire borough carbon neutral by 2045.

This article is loosely presented in a Q&A format, as Macc Nub hoped to provide further clarity for the people of Macclesfield on a press release we were sent.

Macclesfield Nub News asked the unitary authority why they have decided to beat the UK governments own net zero pledges by five years.

Macclesfield Nub News asked: "Why have you decided to beat both UK100 carbon pledge (2030) and government net zero targets (2050) by five years earlier? Is it just a publicity stunt? Or do you think you can meet these ambitious targets?†

A Cheshire East Council spokesperson said: "Our carbon neutral by 2025 ambition sets out our initial target to become carbon neutral in our own operations by 2025.

"This includes a carbon reduction target of 46% and an insetting target of 60% from 2019 baseline levels.

"We will need to continue to decarbonise from 2025-2030 with a minimum of insetting in line with national guidance.

"We are aligning ourself with the ambitious pledge of UK00 – to become a net zero borough by 2045. The earlier we can reduce carbon - the better outcome we can expect.

The largest form of local government which represents Macclesfield are seeking to join the UK100 network – a council coalition pledging to make the borough carbon neutral by 2045, half a decade ahead of the UK government's deadline for eliminating greenhouse gas emissions to net zero.

Councillor Mick Warren, chair of the environment and communities committee, said, "Local authorities have shown significant leadership by setting net zero targets that are years ahead of national legislation.

"The carbon reduction projects we have in place and that are in the planning stages will make a significant contribution towards reducing and offsetting our emissions – but we recognise that we need to do more.

"Joining UK100 means that the voice of Cheshire East, along with the voices of other local leaders, can be amplified via collective advocacy to national government.

"Achieving net zero targets is not something that any one person or organisation can do alone. Avoiding the worst effects of climate change is a significant challenge and there must be a collective effort by everyone across the borough to take the necessary action to protect the future of not only Cheshire East, but that of the planet.

"Membership of UK100 will provide tailored insights, evidence and recommendations on the challenges to local net zero.

"This will help us to broaden our projects and implement the solutions needed to further reduce carbon emissions across Cheshire East, with an aim of being a carbon neutral borough by 2045."

This gives the council which contains 10 elected representatives across Macclesfield, 23 years to meet their goal.

Cheshire East claims to have progress in reducing carbon across its operations and is on track to be carbon neutral by 2025.

Highlights over the past twelve months include the restoration of one hectare of peat moss at Pastures Wood Farm in Gawsworth.

However, this is juxtaposed by the destruction of a peat bog five miles down the road in Henbury. Which proposes extracting thousands of cubic metres of peat in exchange for hundreds of new homes on green land.

The destruction of a natural carbon sink like this Macclesfield peat bog will worsen air quality in our area, and further contribute to the greenhouse effect, which these targets are set up to avoid.

Macclesfield Nub News questioned this strategy with Cheshire East stating: "How will you offset the destruction of natural carbon sinks like peat bogs, such as the one you approved to have almost 200 houses built on in Henbury, Macclesfield?"

A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council responded with the following:

"Every planning application is assessed against the relevant planning policies in place at the time.

"The site referred to in Henbury was originally part of an allocated site for residential housing development in the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy adopted in 2017, with outline planning permission granted in 2019.

"The reserved matters application was approved in 2021. A series of measures were agreed with the developer to minimise peat removal from the site and whilst any removal of peat is regrettable in terms of environmental sustainability, this must be balanced against the economic and social benefits of a proposed development."

The amount of peat bogs being removed from the Chelford Road site in Henbury is set to be over 24,000 cubic metres. However, Macclesfield Nub News were unable to obtain a figure of the rejuvenated peat bog in Gawsworth, to challenge whether the removal of this Macclesfield peat bog has been neutralised.

An archeologist of the company Archaeological Research Services Limited was meant to visit the site to check that too much peat was not being dredged, however, he has only shown up once and not been sighted by Henbury residents.

Other initiatives to off-set and reduce carbon emissions in Cheshire East are updating street lighting upgrade to LED lighting, which uses less energy than the current bulbs.

Another is encouraging eco causes in Macclesfield like Macclesfield Repair Cafe to use Spacehive - the council's newly-established crowdfunding platform for community projects.

Last year the council pledged £30,000 towards 11 community projects. So for example, if you wanted to plant more trees in your neighbourhood or on land you own, you could try to get this crowdfunded.

And regarding the planting of trees, Cheshire East Council have claimed to have planted 21,000 trees in the last 12 months.

Despite having over double the population, Macclesfield has had 20 times less the amount of trees planted in the last year than Congleton, which had over 4200 trees planted in 2021.

We asked where the shrubs were planted in Macc, and their plans for future seasons.

A Cheshire East Council spokesperson added: "Working with Ansa, Cheshire Wildlife Trust and Mersey Forest 21,000 have been planted borough wide to end of March 2021.

"In Macclesfield over the last 12 months we have planted 206 in total.

"Three standards at Bishopton Drive, three standards at Pavilion Way, 200 at Riverside Park.

"Confirmed planting confirmed in for completion by end of March 2022 are 450 at Victoria Park, Macclesfield and 325 at Macclesfield Leisure Centre on Priory Lane.

"Plus planting at St Albans Primary (numbers to be confirmed) and extension to Sycamore Wood at Riverside Park through natural regeneration.

"Further ahead, planning is underway for future planting seasons and by 2025 we are aiming to have planted around 100 hectares of trees in Cheshire East. 

"CEC are working with partners to identify suitable sites for tree planting including school grounds, community spaces and highways. 

"Tree planting has been financially supported by grant funding through Mersey Forest.†

The council are hoping to get Macclesfield schools signed up to net zero pledges, to help inspire the next generation in fighting the climate crisis.

They're also going to bring more efficient heating, solar panels and building fabric improvements at council buildings like Macclesfield Town Hall.

To view the full environment and communities committee papers, including the carbon update report and neutral tarets, please click here. and here.

And if you've got a burning question that we should ask the powers that be, please join in the conversation on Macclesfield Nub News' social media.

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