Our Carbon Neutral 2030 Program Annual Report is now available on the website. It lays the foundation for deeper and faster climate action in the city.
Since 2019, the council has invested almost £23m for its projects to address the climate emergency and biodiversity. This includes £14m over the next 2 years.
The council is also looking at better ways to show the impact of actions and projects on cleaning up the environment, reducing harmful emissions and restoring nature.
2030 Carbon Neutral Program
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 heat waves.
Council leader Phélim Mac Cafferty said: “Over the past few months we have seen firsthand the devastating effects of extreme weather conditions, from record heat waves and drought to unprecedented flooding.
“Tackling the dangerous emissions that cause global warming has never been more urgent. Brighton & Hove’s 2030 Carbon Neutral program explains how we intend to achieve the target scientists are warning us we must meet 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 discuss important issues with organizations across the city to assess the local impact of climate change. Together, we focus on the strongest response to provide solutions and attract investment for our city and region.
“We will continue to press the government to step up the work needed to support deeper and faster action at the local level.
“Going forward, our 2030 carbon neutral program will place greater emphasis on protecting biodiversity and developing a sustainable local economy.
“Our climate actions support fairer and more equal living standards in our city, whether it’s helping to address the cost of living crisis by saving money and resources, or improving people’s health through cleaner air and safer environments.”
Annual Report Highlights
Highlights from the 2021/22 Annual Report include:
Watch our movie
Brighton & Hove emissions
The council’s greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by 52.6% over the past 17 years, with an average annual reduction of 7.63%. Emissions related to electricity consumption have been reduced by 73%.
However, the council’s emissions are only a tiny fraction (1.7%) of the city’s total, which is why working with businesses, organizations and communities is key to achieving our goal of carbon neutrality.
The 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 drop is likely due in part to the pandemic closures that occurred during the period.
