Flintshire’s energy team to share their carbon reduction journey at Venue Cymru
Advice for those starting their carbon reduction journey
Phil Southern and Molly Salter are two of the driving forces behind Flintshire County Council’s push toward sustainability and carbon reduction. Ahead of their presentation at Journey to a net zero Wales at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on 11 June, they share their journey, challenges, and vision for a greener Wales.
Trainees to energy experts
Phil Southern began his career with Flintshire County Council in 2015 as a graduate trainee and has a longstanding interest in buildings and energy use.
He said: “I always had an interest in buildings and the wider ways in which we use energy.
“It’s a hot topic, especially over the last three years, with market volatility making the need to save energy more critical than ever.”
This led to him eventually being appointed to an energy surveyor role. He added: “Working in the public sector presents unique challenges.
We’re not chasing profits. Everything we do has to be considered holistically, especially when it comes to sensitive areas like schools.”
Molly Salter’s journey started in a similar spirit. Initially applying for a climate change project assistant role after completing a degree apprenticeship in low carbon energy and efficiency. She explained: “I’ve always had a passion for the environment. I’d watch documentaries, debate with my dad about climate issues, and that role laid the foundation for everything I’ve learned since.”
Her curiosity led her to explore technologies such as solar panels, air source heat pumps and wind turbines. Today, she plays a key role in helping schools and communities understand their part in reducing emissions under the role of energy conservation technical officer.
Phil and Molly are only two parts of the energy and climate teams that are working hard to enable Flintshire CC to meet its net zero targets, alongside many other teams that are working towards the same target under the Climate Change Strategy.
Leading projects with purpose
Among the council’s most impactful initiatives are two solar farms built on former brownfield sites in Flint and Connah’s Quay.
“They’ve been operational for a couple of years now, with an installed capacity of 3.6 megawatts,” Phil said.
“They have a positive payback, contribute to the decarbonisation of the grid, and support our wider decarbonisation goals. It shows the council's commitment and gives us the experience to explore larger-scale renewable developments.”
The teams also work to bring stakeholders along the journey. “Gaining buy-in from key stakeholders is always an important part of the process when it comes to the development of large-scale energy projects.” Phil added.
Engaging communities and changing minds
Balancing the budget while investing in green initiatives is a familiar tension. But Flintshire has been strategic, using its recycling fund and support from the Welsh Government, Salix and the Welsh Government Energy Service to make progress.
Phil said: “Understanding how programmes like Salix work has allowed us to deliver a wider range of projects that we couldn’t have otherwise.”
Molly is keenly aware of the importance of communications in this process. “We use tools like Facebook to share what we’re doing and it’s important to be transparent about where funding comes from.”
And when it comes to face-to-face engagement? She said: “When we attend community events, the response is overwhelmingly positive. People are eager to talk about clean air, green jobs and how they can contribute.”
Empowering the next generation
Molly’s current focus is helping schools and town councils understand and track their emissions. “We’ve developed a toolkit around five key themes, aligned with our climate strategy, that helps schools build their own decarbonisation plans. It includes everything from low-cost to more ambitious actions.”
One standout example comes from Castell Alun High School, in Hope, Wrexham, where a teacher has turned the toolkit into 21 weeks of climate-themed lessons.
“They perform carbon reporting each year and integrate it into the science curriculum,” Molly explained. “It’s amazing to see students learning how their school operates and what changes they can influence.”
Molly will showcase this project at the Journey to a net zero Wales event on the 11 of June in Llandudno.
Phil sees schools as a critical piece of the puzzle. He said: “They’re the biggest part of our built estate, so there’s a lot that can be achieved just through behavioural change.
“The challenge is getting them engaged, especially when budgets are tight. But if children identify what’s needed—like LED lighting—it encourages support of the funding solutions that are provided by Salix.”
Leading by example
Flintshire County Council is committed to Wales’ public sector net zero target for 2030, and Phil and Molly believe local authorities must lead by example. “We may only contribute around 3% of total emissions,” Molly explained, “but we have influence over 33% through the services we manage. We have a responsibility to show leadership to pupils, town councils, and the wider community.”
Their advice to others starting the journey? “Keep the message consistent,” said Phil. “Knowledge sharing and continuous upskilling are crucial. Be realistic, and make sure you’re evidencing the financial and carbon impact of your actions.”
Molly added: “It’s all about communication. We need to show people the health and wellbeing benefits of energy efficiency, and the broader impacts. That’s how you get buy-in.”
As Flintshire looks towards the future, it’s clear that for Phil and Molly, every solar panel, lesson plan, and conversation is part of a larger mission: creating a more sustainable, resilient Wales.
Phil Southern and Molly Slater will speak at the Flintshire County Council presentation at Venue Cymru, Llandudno on 11 June, sharing insights into energy innovation, stakeholder engagement, and empowering the next generation for a net zero future.
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