Overview
Foreword
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face. Its effects are already being felt in Staffordshire and beyond. Rising temperatures, extreme weather and changing seasons are affecting how we live and work.
Staffordshire County Council is taking action. Since declaring a climate emergency in 2019, we’ve cut our carbon emissions by 52%. But cutting emissions is not enough. We also need to prepare for the impacts of climate change on our communities, infrastructure and environment.
This plan sets out how we will reach net zero and build climate resilience into our services. By identifying risks early, we can protect lives and livelihoods and support a strong future for everyone.
Even with uncertainty at national and global levels, we remain committed to local action. By working with partners, residents and businesses, we can help create a safer and more sustainable Staffordshire.
Introduction
Staffordshire County Council declared a climate emergency in 2019. We set a target to reach net zero emissions by 2050 for the services and buildings we manage directly.
Since then, we’ve made good progress. We’ve cut emissions and included climate change in our decisions and plans. We also support others to take action.
We aim to keep improving how we manage and reduce the impacts of climate change. This updated plan builds on our progress. It includes new actions to help Staffordshire become more resilient and thrive in the future.
National and regional context
The UK government published the 25-Year Environment Plan in 2018. It sets out how to tackle climate change across sectors like waste, transport, nature and farming.
The Environmental Improvement Plan (2023) explains how to deliver these goals. It highlights that the UK must prepare for up to 4ºC of warming, based on advice from the Climate Change Committee.
Staffordshire County Council’s climate risk assessment and action plan take this into account. The UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA), published in 2022, identifies 61 risks and opportunities. These include impacts on health, nature, homes and public services.
Sustainability West Midlands used the CCRA to create a regional risk and adaptation plan. Staffordshire County Council used both plans to inform its own climate risk assessment.
