It is well recognised that one of the fastest and easiest ways to make a difference in terms of climate change is to plant trees.

Although Gloucester is a congested urban area, it is possible to find some space to plant trees, which will help by absorbing carbon dioxide. In November last year, the City MP met me in Westgate Park and asked me, “Why don’t we develop this as an arboretum?” So, I said, “Why not”. In mid-January, over 100 trees were planted there, starting a two to three year project to create what will become Westgate Arboretum.

Water levels were too high to plant many of the trees we were intending to plant, so the following week, volunteers assembled at Saintbridge Ponds to plant another 100 by the banks of the pond, which included several apple trees in what will become a small orchard slightly uphill.

We will import much less electricity from the grid

January also saw the installation of solar panels on the roof of the Gloucester Guildhall. This project has brought the Guildhall much closer to self-sufficiency in terms of its electricity needs, but over the 25 year lifetime of the panels, will return value over six times the cost of installation. The other intended side effect is that we will need to import much less electricity from the grid, much of which is still produced from fossil fuels.

I was delighted to hear that Gloucester City Council licensed its first all-electric taxi, also in January – only the second in the county. I am told that business for the driver is brisk, as people call and request that specific vehicle for their ride. Such demand will make other drivers feel the need to copy, so hopefully soon there will be many more.

Finally, I have been working with the County Council and other district authorities to start work on an overarching climate change strategy that all of the authorities can sign up to. I am delighted agreement has been reached that the post will be sited in Gloucester City Council – close to me, so I can influence, and close to me, so I hear ideas first.