Introduction
In 2019, South Ribble Borough Council declared a climate emergency, publicly recognising that it needs to act on the causes and impacts of climate change and pledging to make the Borough carbon neutral by 2030.
The first Climate Emergency Strategy was published in 2020, summarising the global, national and local needs for climate action, and how the Council would need to act during the next decade to deliver on their pledge.
This edition updates the existing Strategy alongside an update of the associated Action Plan. It should be considered alongside the Council’s Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan and the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. This suite of Strategies and Action Plans form the backbone of the Council’s environmental action over the coming years to 2030 and beyond.
It is designed to be forward thinking and aspirational in a world where technological change is occurring at pace, where grant funding for projects is unpredictable and the outcomes of Local Government Reorganisation are still unknown. It sets a direction of travel even though the exact route to the final destination is unclear.
Delivery of this strategy and action plan is not the responsibility of one officer or department, rather a joint effort of many across the Council. This includes its partners, the residents, communities, and businesses in the Borough of South Ribble.
Since the publication of the previous strategy, several challenges and influencing factors have emerged. These include the sometimes-opposing stances of climate apathy and climate anxiety, alongside an increase in misinformation and conspiracy theories which contribute to confusion and resistance.
There is a growing need to communicate the co-benefits of climate action more effectively, to show the financial savings, health benefits and fuel savings rather than solely the CO2e savings of climate-based projects.
Political changes at a national level, including Local Government Reorganisation, have created uncertainty in future planning, whilst disparities between local and national targets (2030 versus 2050) have complicated delivery. The ever-increasing demands on the electricity grid have resulted in extended and unpredictable connection time-frames causing unpredictable delays on projects.
You can also view the Climate Emergency Strategy and the Climate Emergency Action Plan as PDFs.
If you would like further information on any part of the strategy or action plan please contact: climate.emergency@southribble.gov.uk.