The climate emergency

Climate change is happening due to human activity, this includes global warming with greater risks of flooding, droughts and heat waves. The UK has already been affected by rising temperatures with ten of the warmest years occurring since 2003.

Severe weather events in the borough have shown that the global issue of climate change is now a local problem. The council has declared a climate emergency for the borough. We need plans to tackle emissions and for the effects of extreme weather.

Our declaration and targets

A climate emergency for the borough was declared at a meeting of Cabinet on 10 September 2019, with councillors unanimously supporting the motion.

The declaration set ambitious targets for the council to become carbon neutral in its operations by 2025 and for a net zero carbon borough by 2030.

Alongside tackling our own emissions, we have an important role in helping the borough towards its 2030 target but we cannot do this alone. Our borough will only achieve its target if we all work together.

Shaped through public consultation and adopted in March 2021, our Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy sets out our approach to lead by example as we enable and inspire change, challenging and working with our partners, businesses, communities and others to cut emissions across the borough.