Climate Change

Climate Change is one of the most important issues we face, not just locally but nationally and worldwide.

In July 2019, the Council declared a 'Climate Change Emergency' and committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2027.

You can read more about what the causes of climate change and its impacts at on the Gov.UK Climate Change Explained website (Opens in a new window).

What have we done so far?

Since 2009 we’ve been working hard to reduce CO₂ emissions. In the last 11 years, there has been a 45% reduction in CO₂  emissions but there is still a lot of work to do.

We’ve undertaken 60 projects as part of our Carbon Management Plan including:

• Rationalisation of buildings
• Introduction of solar panels on Council buildings
• LED lighting
• More accurate metering
• Reduction in printing devices and encouraging online channels
• Improvements to our fleet including electric vehicles and finding ways to extend the life of vehicles
• Redesign of refuse rounds to reduce fuel usage
• Installation of combined heat and power units

View our Climate Change Infographic (.pdf) (541kb) (Opens in a new window).

2020 Air Quality Report (Opens in a new window).

What The Council Is Doing

• Created a new Committee focused on taking action on the Environment and Climate Change.
• Declared a Climate Change Emergency.
• Developed a Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan and Carbon Management Plan.
• Established a Climate Change Steering Group to lead on 15 key areas.
• Developed a Single Use Plastic Action Plan.
• Monitoring air quality in 43 locations across the Borough.
• Currently working with the Carbon Trust to determine the current baseline for our carbon footprint.
• Launched its Green Futures campaign to encourage residents, businesses and community groups in Broxtowe to do their bit.

The Plans

We have achieved a lot over the last 11 years, with 60 projects completed as part of the Carbon Management Plan (which reduced the Council’s carbon footprint by 45%), but, there is still a lot of work to do.

Our new Environment and Climate Change Committee was established in 2019 and it is their mission to ensure climate change as an issue is at the forefront of our minds. The new Climate Change Programme document, written in 2020, details the full scope of the plans for 2020 – 2027.

The 14 strands contained within the plan are:

• Fuel
• Transport and Fleet Strategy
• Energy and Building Infrastructure
• Employee and Business Mileage
• Water Courses
• Meadow Planting and Wildlife Corridors
• Tree Planting
• Recycling
• Housing Delivery
• Housing Improvements
• Core Strategy and Planning
• Technology
• Air Quality
• Hospitality and Support

This Climate Change and Green Futures Delivery Programme will allow us to act now and deliver an effective strategy, to reduce the Council’s carbon footprint and influence, encourage and assist households, businesses and schools within the Borough, to strive towards the same goal. It is a living document which will be continually reviewed and adapted as we continue on our journey to becoming carbon neutral.

Here is the full plan document, published October 2020 (Opens in a new window).

What you can do

Whether its cutting down on how much plastic you use or taking the bus rather than driving to work, there are lots of small changes we can all make to make a difference and the more of us make small changes, the bigger impact it will have!

If you're look for ideas try:

• Try the  WWF Carbon Footprint Calculator (Opens in a new Window).
• Energy Saving Trust - Independent advice and information on energy efficiency and renewable energy generation. Visit the Energy Saving Trust website (opens in a new window).
• Everybody's Talking about climate change - Get advice and practical information about taking action on climate change in your community. Visit the Everybody's Talking about climate change website (opens in a new window).
• Carbon Trustor Business Link - environment and efficiency - Find out how your workplace can reduce carbon emissions. Visit the Carbon Trustor Business Link - environment and efficiency website (opens in a new window).
• Eco Schools- Find out how your school can reduce carbon emissions. Visit the Eco Schools website (opens in a new window).
• 2050 Tool - Try the The Department for Energy and Climate Change's (DECC) tool to help bring down carbon emissions to 20% by 2050. Visit the 2050 tool (opens in a new window).
• Recycle your waste – find out more on our recycling pages.

We also have a handy Green Futures Resource Pack (Opens in a new window) which you can use to learn more about how to make a difference.

Did you know...

At our parks and open spaces:

• We use seats and picnic tables made from recycled plastic at appropriate sites.
• The rubber safety surfacing used on play areas is made from shredded recycled car tyres.
• The bark we have removed from the play areas to install this rubber surfacing goes to allotment sites and is used as a soil conditioner.
• We shred tree prunings and use these as walkways within woodland areas.
• Larger logs as used to create habitat piles for insects in woodland areas.
• We've planted more wildflower meadows to encourage local wildlife.

In our Council homes:

• Solar power systems have been fitted at three of our Independent Living Schemes
• 420 Council homes have been improved with external wall insulation
• Over 1,300 Council homes have been improved with new SEDBUKA rated efficient boilers
• The Council supports the award winning, Warmer Homes on prescription scheme help low income residents with cold-sensitive long-term health conditions to achieve affordable warmth.

At our Council Offices:

• A solar power system has been installed.
• We've reduced business mileage by over 40% over the last 10 years.

Transport:

• 28 electric vehicle charging points have been installed in car parks in Beeston, Eastwood, Kimberley and Stapleford.
• 32,000 litres less fuel was used by our refuse fleet in 2017/18
• New electric vans were introduced in 2019.