Brighton and Hove's plan to reduce city's carbon emissions

The plan sets the direction for action on climate change by Brighton and Hove City Council to “accelerate the city’s transition to carbon neutrality by 2030”.

Forecasts show the city will still be emitting just under 600 thousand tonnes of CO2 by 2030 – well above the council’s target of about 250 thousand tonnes.

The 2030 Carbon Neutral Programme being presented to councillors tomorrow makes a number of recommendations.

These include plans to:

• Reduce the need to travel, and promoting and providing safe, inclusive, sustainable and healthy alternative travel options.
• Expand the Bike Share scheme to deliver a citywide scheme with 50 per cent electric bikes.
• Prioritising improvements that focus on principal walking and cycling routes, including in town and local centres.
• Installing hundreds of on-street electric charging points and rapid charging hubs for taxis.
• Continue the Ultra Low Emissions Zone in city centre – and consider an expansion of the zone.
• Replace street lighting with LEDs through the continuation of the “street lighting modernisation programme”.
• Embed climate change into schools’ Brighton and Hove Environmental Education (BHee) programme.
• And, subject to consultation, end the use of single use BBQs on the beach and in parks and open spaces.

A BBQ ban in city parks and beaches is included within the proposals

The plan sets the direction for action on climate change by the council, partners and residents across Brighton and Hove for the next decade, focussing on social justice and future generations alongside rapid decarbonisation to accelerate the city’s transition to carbon neutrality by 2030.

Focussing initially on the projects that the council will take a role in delivering in the period between now and 2023, the programme identifies a potential saving of nearly a third of the city’s carbon emissions by 2030.

The council declared a Climate and Biodiversity Emergency in December 2018 and pledged to become a carbon neutral city by 2030.

To be able to reach this target, the council said, it needed to set out an “ambitious and transformative programme of works” across council services starting immediately.

Councillor Phelim Mac Cafferty, leader of the council and co-chairman of the carbon neutral members working group, said: “This is an important step, as councillors set out the steps we will take on the climate crisis. This comes after extensive consultation on how our city works together, including through the democratic debate provided through our climate and youth assemblies.

“Climate change is causing devastating damage across the country and globe and we know that only a monumental change in how we live our lives will make a difference.

“In Brighton and Hove, we are grasping the opportunity with both hands to take ambitious action and will work with partners across the city, to reach the target of a carbon neutral city by 2030.

“It is clear already that many in our city are passionate about tackling the climate and biodiversity emergency and making the city a greener place. I look forward to working with everyone on the steps outlined to achieve a carbon neutral Brighton and Hove.”

Brighton and Hove's plan to reduce carbon emissions

Councillor Nancy Platts, co-chair of the carbon neutral members working group, said: “As a council we declared a climate and biodiversity emergency in 2018 and this is our next step in addressing that emergency and moving towards a city that embraces low-carbon lifestyles.

“We all have a part to play, from councillors and officials - to residents and visitors to our magnificent city, and if we all do our bit we can become a carbon neutral city by 2030.

“Our Carbon Neutral Programme Plan identifies the activities that the council will help deliver, but I’d like to encourage the people of Brighton and Hove to continue exploring innovative ways to cut carbon, as the people of Brighton and Hove are our greatest strength.”