Think globally, act locally

Just 1.7% of the city’s emissions come from the council, so we can only become carbon neutral by 2030 if everyone plays their part to reduce emissions.

We have a limited window of opportunity if we are to meet our carbon neutral target, but everyone can play their part to help address the climate and biodiversity crisis.

Every action counts

Become a Circular Economy Champion 

Join a network of volunteers working to make small steps that add up to big change. Do your bit to move Brighton & Hove from a “make-use-discard" economy to a more circular, sustainable system.   

Textiles  

Take part in some fun activities that will revitalise your summer wardrobe and keep clothes and textiles in circulation for longer. 

Sew Fabulous is a community sewing and textiles studio based in Brighton Open Market. 

Sew Fabulous teaches people of all ages to sew, to make their own clothes and to love the clothes they already own. Sign up for autumn classes and workshops. 

Check out the Love Your Clothes website. You can find information about how to reduce your environmental impact when it comes to the choices you make about what you wear.

Little steps can make a big difference

Calculate your carbon footprint and learn about what you can do to make a difference. 

Take part in Organic and Second Hand September 

Learn about climate change solutions

Our adult education hub is offering two free introductory courses on the circular economy and sustainable fashion and textiles. 

BHASVIC is one of the first colleges to offer students a carbon literacy qualification. 

The University of Exeter offers a free online course about solutions for climate change.

So, if you want to learn more about climate change and what we can do about it, sign up for the Climate Change: Solutions course online.

Help tackle the big polluters

Transport, heating and electricity make up the bulk of our carbon emissions.

Saving energy

You may already be switching lights off when you leave the room and turning your heating down a notch but have you thought about moving to a renewable energy provider? 

You can save energy in your home whether you live in a council property, rent privately or own your own home.

Transport

If you regularly drive, could you leave the car at home for some journeys or for part of the week? Take a look at the variety of transport options on offer.

Have you considered changing to an electric vehicle?

Brighton & Hove has railway stations at Brighton, Preston Park, London Road, Moulsecoomb, Hove and Portslade and rail connections from all over the country.

Find out more about sustainable transport around the city.

Read about how you can help improve air quality..

We want to hear from you

Take part in the conversation on our ‘Let’s talk climate change’ online space.

Email carbon2030@brighton-hove.gov.uk to tell us how you and your local community are acting on climate change.

We also want to hear your ideas on any other actions we could take to help Brighton & Hove become a carbon neutral city by 2030.

Share your ideas, suggestions and inspiring stories with us on Twitter or Facebook.

Become a volunteer

Explore volunteer groups around the city on the Brighton & Hove Green Spaces Forum website.

Learn more

Other tips to reduce your impact

Wildlife and green spaces

Water

Food

  • grow your own food in your garden, patio, roof or balcony
  • get your food from local sources, like farmers' markets
  • buy food that's in season, it's cheaper and usually local
  • try to reduce your food waste 
  • commit to gardening peat free
  • visit the Brighton & Hove Food Partnership website for more information

Waste

Follow the principles of zero waste:

  • refuse - say no to disposable cutlery and other single use items
  • reduce - donate your unwanted belongings to charity shops and other non-profit organisations
  • reuse - use a reusable coffee cup, water bottle and cutlery. Save things like gift bags, glass jars and elastic bands and use them again instead of buying new
  • repair - learn how to do repairs or get help to fix household items 
  • repurpose - use worn out t-shirts as cloths, newspaper or magazines as wrapping paper, or egg boxes for growing kitchen herbs, or buy refurbished electricals at the Revaluit shop 
  • recycle - learn about what we can recycle in Brighton & Hove, you can also pay for an alternative kerbside collection from local organisations
  • rot - find a range of composting solutions for your kitchen, garden and in nearby community green spaces

For inspiration and reusable items, visit the circular economy directory.