Council climate actions
Climate Change Action Plan
Our Climate Change Action Plan shows our actions to become net zero by 2035. This means that by 2035, we will have reduced our greenhouse gas emissions and have steps in place to remove any remaining emissions from the atmosphere.
Our current Climate Change Action Plan was approved in June 2022 and we are reporting on our progress internally every three months.
Some of the key actions include:
- making our buildings more energy efficient
- replacing diesel and petrol vehicles with electric or low-emission alternatives
- making sure our colleagues consider the climate in their day-to-day roles and decisions.
Read the full Climate Change Action Plan which gives details of the specific actions we’re taking.
So far, a wide range of actions have been completed, including:
- analysis of energy consumption at the Council’s top 23 sites
- contribution to the creation of a Renewable Energy Strategy for Derby and Derbyshire
- conversion of over 5,500 streetlights to energy efficient LED, saving 330 tonnes of carbon emissions per year
- introduction of a Climate Change Impact Assessment to both challenge and ultimately improve the Council’s key decisions and increase awareness across the Council of climate change impacts
- development of new training for staff on climate change
- direct provision of home energy advice, support and signposting to 300 households
- delivery of biodiversity improvements across the city, including planting 12,126 trees*, in partnership with local communities.
*These trees will also go on to play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to offset the carbon emissions produced by human activities. They will also aid water management by reducing the risk of flooding and soil degradation, reducing stormwater runoff and easing pressure on drainage systems. IN addition, they create additional natural shaded areas that will reduce temperatures and improve comfort for residents during hot summer months.
We have also set up a Climate Change Action Plan Programme Board to help support and raise the profile of what we do and to oversee the progress we make on our Climate Change Action Plan. In addition to this we have a councillor group of Climate Champions that meet every couple of months to help ensure this issue is understood and owned by each political party. Our Climate Champions are:
- Councillor Lucy Care
- Councillor Stephen Fowke
- Councillor Stephen Lakin
- Councillor Jamie Mulhall
- Councillor Cecile Wright
Work taking place
Further information on some of the climate change work taking place across the Council
Travel and transport
- Travel and transport improvements, including cycling infrastructure, hydrogen buses and reducing traffic in key locations.
- Moving Derby Forward Programme - delivering active travel measures across the city.
- Transforming Cities Fund – improving connections between major employment sites and promoting active travel and public transport.
- School Safe Haven Fund - promoting active travel for the school journey and reducing school gate traffic.
Improving the energy efficiency of housing in Derby
- Lowering home energy bills with ECO funding.
- Improving the energy efficiency of off-gas housing.
- Provision of home energy advice at events and by emailing home.energy@derby.gov.uk.
- Improving housing which affects the health of vulnerable people.