A council has failed to meet its “ambitious” climate targets.

In 2019 Swale council voted to declare a “climate and ecological emergency,” setting themselves a target of net zero by 2025, and net zero by 2030 across the borough.

A report heard at the local authority’s full council meeting on January 31 said: “Swale has set some of the most ambitious targets nationally.

“However, it has become apparent that we will not reach the aspirational 2025 council target although we are moving in the right direction,” the report goes on.

“Net zero” refers to when greenhouse gas emissions are completely negated by things such as carbon capture or absorption of CO2 through trees.

A council spokesman said: “Many initiatives and actions have been taken and implemented to work towards this goal, but due to a number of national and global obstacles, the council will not be able to achieve their aspirational target.”

However, the council boasts of their eco-initiatives, including 72 solar panel installations, retrofitting council offices, starting car share schemes, installing 18 new EV charging points, planting over 14000 trees and making all council vehicles electric.

Green group leader and environment committee chair Cllr Rich Lehmann said: "Although we have not met our aspirational, self-imposed target, we have achieved an incredible amount with our available resources, and should be proud of the progress we have made.

“Officers across the council have worked incredibly hard towards meeting these goals.

“We will continue to work hard to tackle these issues, but also need the support of the community, whether recycling more, taking public transport or walking where possible, or even something as simple as switching to LED lighting in their own homes.

“If we work together, we can continue our progress towards our net zero goals.”

Some councillors are less optimistic, however.

Cllr Julien Speed, Tory environment spokesman on the council, said: “Yes, we’ve made a start but there’s a long way to go and I’m disappointed that no revised date has been set to achieve the net zero target.

“The car share schemes are all well and good, but they’re only based in Faversham and Sittingbourne and don’t help residents in the rural villages.”

He added: “Recycling rates are at their lowest level since the rainbow coalition took control of the Council – better consumer education is needed.

“Trees may have been planted to absorb carbon dioxide, but many have died and haven’t been replaced.

“Bus and train services are inadequate which increases reliance on the private car, and there are still far too many streetlights that have not been converted to LED.

“All these issues, and more, need to be addressed if the council is to hit its target any time soon”