Following a public consultation that closed on the 24th July 2022 we have produced a Climate Action Plan.
In the plan we've set targets and commitments to work with our communities, partners, local businesses, and other key stakeholders. By achieving these targets, we will ensure all our processes, buildings and services are Net-Zero carbon by 2030.
Download the Climate Change Action Plan here
We will regularly review this Action Plan as we achieve targets and add new actions on the route to Net-Zero.
To provide feedback on the Action Plan, or be involved in local climate action, email climatechange@northwarks.gov.uk
What is climate change?
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. This shift in climate is the cause of longer and more intense heatwaves, droughts, storms and flooding amongst many other impacts.
Human activity has greatly contributed to climate change through the release of greenhouse gases into the air which have, and are continuing to, cause global temperatures to rise. These gases include carbon dioxide and methane.
Activities such as burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil or gas, for heating and electricity, driving petrol or diesel cars, deforestation and degrading nature all contribute to the release of greenhouse gases.
These greenhouse gases build up in the air, and act like a warming blanket around the planet. The more greenhouse gases in the air, the warmer the planet becomes and the more significantly altered weather patterns become. Currently the world emits around 35 billion tonnes of Carbon Dioxide into the air every single year.
Greenhouse gas emissions are at their highest levels in 2 million years, and this caused the last decade to be the warmest on record. The Planet will continue to rise as more greenhouse gases are released.
Why we have to act
Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns has dire consequences for everyone across the planet. It is not simply a case of warmer temperatures; consequences of climate change now include:
- Intense drought
- Flooding
- Catastrophic storms
- Rising sea levels
- Declining biodiversity (Nature loss)
- Habitat loss
- Water scarcity
- Severe fires
- Melting polar ice
- Plus, many other impacts
In order to stop the damage getting worse we need to stop the release of greenhouse gases into the air. Around the World, 196 countries agreed to do all we can to limit global temperature rise to no more than 1.5°C. This is estimated to be the maximum temperature increase to limit the worst of the damage and enable us to maintain a liveable climate. In order to achieve this every country, city, town and individual has a role to play in stopping the release of greenhouse gases.
What you can do
The things you can do to fight climate change will in part depend on your budget and lifestyle. Check out these low cost ideas
Energy
- Turn off lights when you’re not using them
- Close ALL curtains and blinds during the night and consider thermally lined curtains to keep the heat in
- Replace lightbulbs with low energy LED versions
- One pot cooking
- Use saucepan lids to avoid wasting heat
Eat sustainably
- Wasting food feeds climate change and accounts for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Take some simple steps to reduce the amount of food you throw away - https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/
- Shop locally and eat seasonally
- Reduce the amount of meat and dairy you eat. Livestock rearing contributes towards global warming through the methane gas animals produce and also deforestation to expand grazing pastures
- Grow your own fruit and vegetables. Courgettes are easy to grow and just one plant, in the ground or a container, will provide you with three to four courgettes a week depending on the weather
Sustainable wardrobe
- Keep your clothes for longer by repairing clothes and shoes where possible
- Buy second hand
- Buy neutral clothing which won’t go out of fashion, or ignore fashion trends altogether
Plant Trees
Trees are a natural way to combat climate change. They lock up carbon and fight flooding. Find out how you could get free trees from The Woodland Trust - Free Trees for Schools and Communities - Woodland Trust
Travel greener
- Walk or cycle shorter journeys where possible
- Car share or use public transport
- Turn off your car engine when parked up. Idling increases the amount of exhaust fumes in the air
- Avoid flying and consider travelling by train or holidaying in the UK
Reduce your waste
- Reduce what you buy by choosing items with less or no packaging
- Reuse items where possible. This could include repairing or using something for a different purpose (example: glass sauce jar to store seeds)
- Recycle what you can at kerbside www.northwarks.gov.uk/red and at household waste recycling centres www.warwickshire.gov.uk/recycling
Do you have any ideas for potential locations for a community orchard?
The Coronation Living Heritage Fund, which has just been released by DEFRA, which will support the planting of community orchards in celebration of the King’s Coronation this year.
To enable us to identify potential planting sites in North Warwickshire, we are asking local residents to submit ideas for potential locations for a community orchard.
If there are any sites which you would like to be considered, please email climate change orchard ideas
Do you have an idea you’d like us to consider?
If you have an idea about how we can improve this area of the website or, most importantly, reduce our climate impact please get in touch at climatechange@northwarks.gov.uk
Further reading