APSE Energy Event - Reading - 'Delivering Net Zero: Showcasing Local Authority Progress'

Date: Thursday 25 September 2025, 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Venue: Reading Town Hall, Reading, RG1 1QH

This event is free for APSE Energy members.

Click here to book your place

APSE Energy’s next in person event is to be held on Thursday 25^th September 2025 at Reading Town Hall.  Reading Borough Council has made strong progress in reducing emissions, the Council has now decarbonised or is in the process of decarbonising all of its major buildings and have ambitious plans to decarbonise the borough through its 'Pathway to Net Zero'.  

At this event, we will hear from Reading on their 'Pathway to Net Zero', including work around EV infrastructure, Community Energy, Heat Networks, Solar Farm and Housing Retrofit, as well as about the council's decarbonisation of major council buildings. We will also hear from other authorities and organisations who have messages to share around the climate change and sustainability agenda. 

Presentations include:

Bringing forward our climate target

• What have we achieved so far?
• Next steps to accelerate progress
• How will it be funded?

Cllr. Nick Ireland, Leader & Cabinet Member for Climate, Performance and Safeguarding, Dorset Council

Area-wide decarbonisation through our ‘Pathway to Net Zero’

• How we engaged with local residents and partners?
• Examples of major decarbonisation projects
• Collaboration with the University of Reading

Ben Burfoot, Sustainability Manager, Reading Borough Council

Decarbonising all major council buildings in Reading

• Which measures have been installed across our buildings?  
• How did we fund the upgrades?
• Ongoing decarbonisation of Reading Town Hall

Reading Borough Council

Cambridgeshire Energy Retrofit Partnership (CERP)

• Reducing fuel poverty through a 6-council collaboration
• Developing a retrofit framework to increase capacity
• Outcomes and future plans

Cambridge City Council

Fast Followers: Advancing Retrofit to Drive Net Zero in Three Rivers

• Using an innovative, data-informed and community focused approach to advance retrofit
• Taking a two-pronged approach to reducing council and area wide emissions
• Lessons learnt from the Fast Followers scheme

Joanna Hewitson, Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy Officer, Three Rivers District Council

Making energy efficiency upgrades possible through interest-free loans

• Lendology’s role in the Warm Homes Suffolk Loan
• Recycling funds to support as many homeowners as possible
• How many homes have been reached so far and plans for the future

Emma Lower, CEO, Lendology

Lunch and refreshments will be served.