News | Wakefield Climate Emergency Climate Change Action Plan

Wakefield Climate Emergency Climate Change Action Plan

Wakefield Climate Emergency Climate Change Action Plan

We have pledged to become a carbon neutral organisation by 2030, for those emissions that are under our direct control. This means having a net zero carbon footprint, and we aim to help the entire district achieve this goal too, within the same timeframe - if possible - but by 2038 at the latest

Reducing carbon emissions at this scale – and broadening our net zero work to encapsulate the district as a whole – will enable the organisation to play its part in contributing to wider local, national, and international climate change efforts. Furthermore, by showing leadership and accountability in delivering this critical work, we hope to encourage other organisations across all sectors to address their own climate change impacts, whilst also inspiring and supporting members of the public to lead more sustainable lifestyles.

The climate change action plan is comprised of 6 workstreams, the first 5 of which address organisational emissions, with the 6th being dedicated solely to district-level work. The workstreams cover the following core areas: low carbon estate, low carbon fleet, renewable energy, carbon offsetting, behavioural change and influencing, and place.

The programme of work that supports these workstreams forms the basis for the future delivery of our net zero aspirations. The council has a leadership structure and organisational hierarchy that recognises the importance of climate change, which is also underpinned by a skilled programme delivery team. With a suite of suitable policies, procedures, and strategies now in place, there is a corporate-wide commitment to embed climate change-centric thinking into everything the council does going forward, both organisationally and within the district.

We believe that this plan provides a solid foundation for sustained and rapid carbon emissions reductions, and that this will enable the council to demonstrate its full commitment to both the climate emergency and to delivering against its net zero promises.