Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy

This strategy sets out how we work with others to tackle the climate crisis in support of our 2019 climate emergency declaration.

Our two ambitious targets are:

• to make the council’s operations carbon neutral by December 2025
• to work with communities and partners towards a net zero carbon borough by 2045.

The updated strategy was adopted in December 2025, refreshing the original version of the strategy first approved in 2021. Shaped through extensive engagement with technical experts, partners, community groups, businesses and residents including a six-week consultation over summer 2025.

Overview and areas for action

Guided by our strategy, we:

• lead by example, including by taking action to cut our own carbon emissions
• enable by facilitating change through policies and strategies, details of which may be developed elsewhere, but with climate change and air quality at their core
• inspire by educating, encouraging and empowering residents, businesses and communities to take action

Our action is focused on six areas:

• Action by all - the need for everyone in the borough to contribute
• Buildings - tackling emissions from heating and powering our buildings
• Transport - tackling emissions from vehicles
• Zero carbon electricity - supporting the transition to a decarbonised electricity system
• Consumption and waste - reducing waste and consumption
• Natural environment - maximising the climate mitigation and adaptation qualities of the natural environment

View the Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy

Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy for Basingstoke and Deane - December 2025(PDF) [2 Mb]

Climate Change Action Plan

Specific actions on how we implement the strategy are set out in the Climate Change Action Plan. Progress against these actions is monitored and reported as part of regular progress updates to councillors at public meetings.

Contact the team