Becoming carbon neutral by 2030

We have committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030, 20 years ahead of the UK government’s target of 2050.

It’s an ambitious target but as one of the first councils in the country to recognise and declare a climate emergency, we believe we must take action now and use our resources to work alongside the city to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

We have put together 10 reasons for why we have pledged to become carbon neutral by 2030.

Council leader Nancy Platts said: “This is a creative, articulate and caring city and there is a real willingness to act on the climate and biodiversity emergencies. We’ve seen the passion of local people at our council meetings and we share their sense of urgency.

“Just 2.5% of the city’s emissions come from the council, so there is growing awareness that we can only achieve the 2030 ambition if everyone plays their part to reduce emissions. The city can become carbon neutral if we all take action now.”

What you can do

Pledge to make changes to your lifestyle. Join Enviropledge and see how you can make simple lifestyle changes that add up to real impact on reducing your carbon footprint.

Find out your carbon footprint with this simple online calculator. Or try a detailed online calculator for a more in-depth assessment of different activities.

Share your ideas, thoughts and suggestions on Twitter, Facebook or by emailing us at  carbon2030@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Climate assembly

We hope to announce details about how the climate assembly will be organised in the next week. Brighton & Hove’s assembly will bring together 50 residents to help shape how the city can address the climate crisis and recommend and prioritise actions for the city to take forward. 

Following best practice, the members of the climate assembly will be randomly selected and will broadly represent the demographics of the city’s population. The assembly will involve people from across the whole city. Transport will be the subject of the first meeting.

What we are doing

Becoming carbon neutral by 2030 is a central part of our new council plan.

We are working alongside communities, organisations and businesses to:

• Turn ideas into practical steps
• Make changes to reduce carbon emissions 
• Put in place long-term solutions to safeguard the planet for the next generation.

12 of our climate emergency actions this winter

• 100% renewable energy supplier is providing emergency vouchers for those in need
• Changes to parking charges will support actions to reduce carbon emissions 
• Working with event organisers to make sure outdoor events are climate-friendly
• Introducing a ground-breaking heating plan to cut carbon emissions 
• Welcoming Nature2020
• Climate crisis conversations in Jubilee library
• Waterhall Golf Course will be restored to chalk grasslands through rewilding.
• More than 500 families took part in our active travel Meerkat trail
• New street lighting is reducing carbon emissions
• Council’s carbon emissions continue to fall
• Our plans for a climate assembly
• Increasing biodiversity by using heavy horses for woodland management