Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing our society. The United Nations and the international scientific community have made clear the potentially severe global human, environmental and economic impacts that man-made climate change poses. The Paris Climate Agreement of 2015, recognised the need to accelerate actions and investment to combat climate change and pursue efforts to limit the future global temperature increase to 1.5°C.  

Surrey Heath Borough Council is committed to tackling climate change and promoting sustainability. 

Climate Emergency Declared 

On the 9 October 2019 the Council declared a Climate Emergency and pledged to become carbon neutral by 2030 across its own estate and operations, including contractors used, and support the actions being taken by Surrey County Council in this area. The Climate Emergency declared by the Council recognises that climate change is happening and that action needs to be taken now, both to mitigate and to adapt. 

A Climate Change Working Group was appointed to develop the strategy and actions required to meet the targets relevant to the Climate Emergency. The Working Group meet regularly and played a key role in the development of the Council’s Action Plan. 

More information on the Climate Emergency Motions passed at the Full Council Meeting. 

Surrey Heath Borough Council Climate Change Action Plan 

The Council has produced a Climate Change Action Plan to work towards achieving the ambitious net-zero carbon emission target by 2030 as an organisation and contribute to making the Borough net zero by 2050 (with the aspiration for net zero by 2030). The Action Plan is a living document and will be regularly updated by the Council. More details on the Surrey Heath Climate Change Action Plan. 

Surrey County Council Climate Change Strategy 

Surrey’s Climate Change Strategy supports the shared ambition of Surrey’s 12 local authorities for Surrey’s residents to live in clean, safe and green communities, where people and organisations embrace their environmental responsibilities and sets out the collective approach to do our part to tackle climate change. 

Visit Surrey County Council's Climate Change webpages for more information about action being taken across the county, and ways you can get involved.

Find out more information about the steps already taken by the Council.