With COP 28 concluding last week, Chesterfield Borough Council is reflecting on how its climate strategy supports both national and international commitments.
The council declared a climate emergency in 2019, and since then the organisation’s emissions have fallen by 36 per cent – driven by action such as switching to renewable energy, using greener vehicles, making council homes and buildings more energy efficient and changing the way green spaces are managed.
Councillor Martin Stone, cabinet member for climate change, planning and environment, said: “COP 28 is an important step to tackling climate change on an international level but it is important to understand how action taken at the local level here in Chesterfield contributes to global change. One of the key commitments at COP 28 was to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems – this is something the council has been working towards, with the switch to renewable electricity supplies and using new technologies like heat pumps in new build council properties.
“Historically the UK is one of the worlds leading emitters and we should lead by example, it is vital that councils like ours take the steps necessary to reduce emissions and contribute to meeting our national targets.”
The council’s refreshed climate change strategy (2023 to 2030) which focusses on key areas which have the biggest impact on carbon emissions, including building use, transport and energy – and builds on the achievements of the previous strategy which was adopted in 2019.
The council has a target of becoming a carbon neutral organisation by 2030, while working with local communities to create a carbon neutral borough by 2050.
Find out more information about the council’s work to tackle climate change.
