Climate change action plan
We’re working to protect our residents from the impact of climate change. We’re committed to ensuring changes do not have a negative impact on the city’s most vulnerable people. The journey to zero carbon must be a fair one. One that considers the social impact of change as well as environmental impact.
Since we first reported our carbon (CO2) figures in 2009, we've reduced our direct emissions by 67%.
So far, we've invested over £320million in climate change projects. That funding has come from national and local schemes as well as our own investments. This has helped projects such as retrofitting the city’s social homes. This work improves their energy efficiency as well as cutting harmful emissions.
We updated our climate change action plan in 2022. It ensures we're on track to reduce the Council's direct carbon emissions. And that we lead by example. It renews our focus on citywide action, our leadership role and how we help others to take action.
Find more detail in our updated climate action plan (2022). And in our first climate change action plan (2020).
We also have action plans for each of our wards. They show how we'll engage communities and help organisations that work with us. Find out more about our ward climate change action.
Our priorities for 2022 to 2025
Bidding for external funding for projects is still a priority. It's also vital that we have a strong pipeline of future schemes – to build on our success so far. And we're moving forward with existing projects. We also have an opportunity to reduce staff travel by using new ways of working. We're keeping positive changes needed in the pandemic.
We recognise our role to help and influence residents and businesses to play their part. We'll continue to work with partners across the city, the city region and the nation. To grow the level of activity to decarbonise.
Our new Local Plan will aim to put zero carbon at the fore in new development. And ensure our management of the city’s parks, green spaces and waterways makes the most of their environmental benefits.
Planning for the next five years, 2025 to 2030
We're working on the next climate change action plan for 2025 to 2030.
We'll review new national, regional and city policy – and its impact on our next climate actions.
We'll work with all areas of the Council about their roles and actions in the plan.
We'll embed climate change adaptation in our new actions. To ensure we adapt and help others to be more resilient to climate change.
Finally, the new plan will have targets in two key areas. Zero Carbon Council will focus on reducing the Council’s carbon emissions. And Zero Carbon City will focus on our leadership role in the city.