Our Carbon Neutral 2030 Programme annual report is now available on the website. It sets the foundation for further and faster climate action in the city.
Since 2019 the council has invested almost £23 million for its projects working to tackle the climate and biodiversity emergency. This includes £14 million over the next 2 years.
The council is also investigating better ways of showing what impact actions and projects are having on cleaning up the environment, reducing harmful emissions and restoring nature.
Take part in a climate conversation on our interactive website.
Brighton & Hove’s Carbon Neutral 2030 Programme, launched last year, sets the city’s direction for action on climate change and biodiversity loss, focusing on actions to reduce emissions and air pollution, improve health, create social justice and protect nature.
Over the next 2 years the council plans to work with the city on a climate adaptation strategy to help communities and businesses respond to the risks of climate change, such as flooding and heatwaves.
Council leader Phélim Mac Cafferty said: “Over recent months we’ve seen close up the devastating effects of extreme weather, from record-breaking heatwaves and drought to the unprecedented floods.
“There has never been more urgency to deal with the dangerous emissions that cause global warming. Brighton & Hove’s 2030 Carbon Neutral Programme lays out how we intend to meet the target scientists warn us we must reach to prevent climate breakdown and irreversible damage to nature.
“But with climate change happening all around us, we also need to find solutions to adapt to the ‘new normal’ of extreme weather events. We are discussing the important issues with organisations across the city to assess the local impact of climate change. Together we are focused on the strongest response on providing solutions and attracting investment for our city and region.
“We’ll continue to press government to scale up the work that’s needed to support further and faster action at a local level.
“Going forward, our 2030 carbon neutral programme will put a greater emphasis on protecting biodiversity and on developing a sustainable local economy.
“Our climate actions support fairer and more equal living standards in our city, from helping to deal with the cost-of-living crisis by saving money and resources, to improving people’s health through clean air and safer environments.”
The 2021/22 annual report highlights include:
The council’s greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by 52.6% over the last 17 years, with an average annual reduction of 7.63%. Emissions from electricity consumption fell by 73%.
However, the council’s emissions make up a tiny fraction (1.7%) of the total for the city which is why collaboration with businesses, organisations and communities is essential to reach our carbon neutral target.
Latest figures from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) show that greenhouse gas emissions fell by 11.9% between 2019 and 2020. This fall is likely to have been partly due to the pandemic lockdowns which happened during the period.
