Climate change strategy 2022

Gateshead Council has made significant progress in recent years in reducing the carbon emissions from its own activities. Investment in new technologies has helped us reduce reliance on fossil fuels for providing heat and power to our buildings. Improving the efficiency of street lighting and the vehicles we use has also had a significant impact. Since 2010, we have reduced the carbon emissions associated with the Council's activities by 55%. In February 2021, we published a Climate Emergency Action Plan that will deliver on the council's commitment to make its own activities carbon neutral by 2030.

However, the Council's own activities account for only around 2.5% of Gateshead's total emissions. Clearly, achieving a significant reduction in total emissions from Gateshead requires action from everybody - from our communities, from Gateshead businesses, and from our partners.

The activities that help reduce carbon emissions also help to address:

• the cost of living crisis and poverty facing our communities
• challenges to health and wellbeing
• the need to improve air quality in some locations
• reducing fuel poverty, ensuring access to good quality and affordable food,
• supporting Gateshead's economic recovery from the devastating effects of Covid-19

We can help Gateshead Thrive whilst also protecting our planet, saving money and ensuring our future residents can also thrive without the devastating effects of climate change.

This Strategy aims to deliver on our commitment of making the whole of Gateshead carbon neutral by 2030. It sets out how communities, businesses and other agencies can reduce their carbon footprint, and the steps that the Council can take in enabling this. It is vital that we act collectively to deliver change. It is everyone's responsibility to take the action necessary to reduce the negative impact we have on our planet and every small step makes a difference. From residents, businesses, public services, charities to government. Climate change is happening. Countries and businesses are responding, and Gateshead needs to be part of that movement if it is to succeed in grasping the many opportunities arising from a green economy and thriving neighbourhoods.

We look forward to working with Gateshead residents and business so we can all play our part in the vital action to deliver a zero-carbon future.

The need for change

The Earth's climate has changed throughout history but the current warming trend is of particular significance. This is because the evidence shows it is the result of human activity since the mid 20th century and the speed of change is unprecedented over thousands of years.

The evidence of rapid climate change:

• the planet's average surface temperature has risen about 1.18 degrees Celsius since the late 19th century, a change driven largely by increased carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere and other human activity
• most of the warming occurred in the past forty years, with the seven most recent years being the warmest. The years 2016 and 2020 are tied for the warmest year on record
• the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets have shrunk. Data from NASA shows Greenland lost an average of 279 billion tons of ice per year between 1993 and 2019, while Antarctica lost about 148 billion tons of ice per year
• global sea level rose about 20 centimetres in the last century. The rate in the last two decades is nearly double that of the last century, and the rate is accelerating year by year

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 countries at COP 21 in Paris, on 12 December 2015 and entered into force on 4 November 2016. COP26 was held in 2021, with a goal to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels during COP26. The Glasgow Climate Pact and The Paris Rule book were agreed and included tighter deadlines for updating strategies to reduce emissions.

To achieve this long-term temperature goal, countries need to start reducing greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible in order to achieve a climate neutral world by mid-century.

Climate change is happening, and it is everyone's responsibility to act.

Cost of living crisis 

Rising costs are affecting us all and making things difficult for many people in Gateshead. There are many ways that tackling climate change can also help with the cost of living such as, making sure our homes are draft free, walking instead of taking the car, or making sure no food goes to waste. It is important that we maximise opportunities to help people thrive, whilst also tackling climate change and acknowledge that some changes will be unaffordable to many at this current time.

The impact on Gateshead

UK winters are projected to become warmer and wetter on average, although cold and/or dry winters will still occur sometimes. Summers are projected to be come hotter and are more likely to be drier, although wetter summers are also possible. By 2050, heatwaves like that seen in 2019 are expected to happen every other year.

By 2070 we project:

• winter will be between 1 and 4.5 degrees Celsius warmer and up to 30 percent wetter
• summer will be between 1 and 6 degrees Celsius warmer and up to 60 percent drier

Heavy rainfall is also more likely. Since 1998, the UK has seen seven of the ten wettest years on record. Winter storms like we saw in 2015 are at least 40 percent more likely because of climate change. 

Climate change is already impacting on Gateshead with more regular flooding incidents and poor air quality. If the predicted temperature rise occurs, the frequency, pattern and severity of flooding are all expected to increase and become more damaging. The risk of flooding in the borough will increase given the rising sea levels, an increase in extreme rainfall, storm surge events and higher ground water levels.

In November 2018, Defra released a new set of UK Climate Projections (UKCP18) for the North East, sea levels are expected to increase by up to 50cm under the low emissions scenario, and up to 90cm under the high emissions scenario by 2100. Whilst it is not possible to predict or prevent all flooding, the council's Strategic Flood Risk Assessment provides a range of flood risk data (river, tidal, surface water, groundwater, mine water, sewer, historic events) which can help to identify parts of the borough which may be vulnerable to flooding in the future and where steps can be taken to reduce the risk and the impact of flooding.

The risk of flooding from the River Tyne, River Derwent and River Team is greatest in parts of the following areas:

• Dunston
• Teams
• Team Valley Trading Estate
• Lamesley
• Blackhall Mill
• Lintzford
• Derwenthaugh
• Blaydon
• Swalwell

Surface water flooding also affects hilly areas of the borough such as:

• Kibblesworth
• Chopwell
• Rowlands Gill
• Leam Lane
• Sunniside
• Clara Vale
• the upper area of Team Valley
• High Fell
• Felling
• Heworth

Climate change will impact on our ability to develop areas for jobs and homes due to potential flooding.

Thunder Thursday

On Thursday 28 June 2012, 50mm of rain fell across the North East in just two hours, the amount we would normally see for the whole month of June. In addition, 40mm fell in ninety minutes on Sunday 5 August 2012.

• our flood risk management team investigated over 300 reports of flooding, drainage and surface water problems
• detailed investigations were completed in 10 areas where 10 or more properties were flooded
• more than 250 properties had to be vacated through flooding and storm damage
• over 80 locations on Gateshead's roads were closed due to surface water flooding
• 75 locations were added to the council's flood register
• over 50 flood risk management or drainage improvement schemes were completed following the incidents
• while each flooding location was different, the level of rainfall was clearly the cause of the flooding

The summer floods in 2012 demonstrated the risks from over land surface water to both rural and urban communities where existing drainage systems could not cope. Flooding can have a devastating impact. For example, damage to property and critical infrastructure, costs to the economy, disruption to businesses, the transport network and community life and the health and wellbeing of residents.

Storms

Storm Arwen brought wind gusts up to 98 miles per hour (mph). This wind gust was the highest recorded in north-east England since 1984. The aftermath was devastating, three people died, thousands of trees were blown over, and more than a million homes lost power as lines were brought down. Scientists say climate emergency will make extreme weather events more likely. It is known that much of Earth's trapped heat goes into the sea and rising sea temperatures produce more energy for hurricanes and typhoons. Only a few months after Storm Arwen, Storm Eunice and Storm Franklin hit in the same week. This resulted in 177,000 claims made for damaged homes, business and vehicles. 

Co-benefits

A co-benefit is an additional or extra benefit we receive when addressing an issue such as climate change. Considering co-benefits allows multiple priorities, such as inequality, to be addressed at the same time. An example might be an initiative to increase cycling, with a primary objective of reducing carbon emissions. However, cycling will improve health both physical and mental for residents via increased physical activity and improved air quality, in addition to saving money on fuel or bus tickets. 

Tackling climate change can make us healthier, happier and save us money, enabling everyone in Gateshead to thrive.

Threats 

• poor air quality contributes to around 40,000 air pollution-related deaths per year in the UK
• physical inactivity is responsible for 1 in 6 deaths in the UK and costs the UK £7.4 billion annually, including the 900 million to the NHS alone. Active travel can help promote better health by increasing levels of physical activity 
• poor quality housing costs the NHS £1.4 billion a year, £857 million of which is caused by excess cold

Inequality

Climate change impacts many groups of people such as the elderly, and those living on low incomes, this increases inequality. We need climate action to address inequality as well as reviewing the effects climate change has on the environment. 

Examples

• low-income households are eight times more likely to live in tidal flood plains than more affluent households
• 13.4% of households in England (3.8 million people) live in fuel poverty
• single parent households are most likely to be fuel poor (28% of single parent households are fuel poor)
• following the energy crisis and a rise in the energy price cap, charity National Energy action predicts that the number of households living in fuel poverty could rise to 6.5 million
• in England, if you are of an ethnic minority you are more than twice as likely (40% more likely) to live in areas most deprived of green space than white people (14%)

Opportunities examples

Green Economy

Low carbon and renewable energy activities generated £43 billion turnover in 2019, directly employing 209,500 people (full time equivalents).

Health

• if the average dietary intake in the UK complied with the recommendations of the World Health organisation, a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 17% could be achieved
• planting woodland can include edible edges to feed local communities with healthy low carbon food
• cycling in Tyneside prevents 294 series long term health conditions each year and saves 7,500 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions

Inequality

Diverting electrical equipment from landfill to be repaired and tested, before distributing to those who need it most in the community.

Consultation and partnership

In February 2022 we hosted a stakeholder workshop at BALTIC, with the aim of beginning a dialogue with our communities, and creating networks between individuals, groups and organisations. 

A residents survey was also carried out between January and May 2022, to gain a better understanding of our communities attitudes towards the climate emergency, and what action  our community would be willing to take. The survey received a strong response, with 942 respondents. 86% were concerned about the impact of climate change, and 81% supported the council taking action on climate change. When asked who should do more to tackle climate change, 90% of respondents identified large businesses, 87% for the national government, and 82% for Gateshead Council.

On actions to reduce their own carbon footprint, people indicated they would be willing to reduce the amount of energy they used, would plant or retain trees or shrubs, or would be willing to switch to 'green' energy tariffs. However, respondents were more resistant to the suggestion of avoiding air travel, with 35% unwilling to do this. 

Draft Climate Strategy consolation 2022 - what people said

Nearly 70% of respondents said they agreed with the climate strategy vision. Almost 70% said they would be willing to make a personal climate pledge.

Over 200 pins were dropped on the interactive map either to suggest actions that are needed to take place for climate change, or to show us where best practice exists in Gateshead. These suggestions will feed into the ward level action plans which will be subject to ongoing community and stakeholder engagement. 

Health and Wellbeing board 

The Health and Wellbeing Board, included many of our key partners that will help with the delivery of the Climate Strategy, endorsed the strategy in April 2022. Other partners are able to sign up to endorse the Climate Strategy and pledge to help to deliver it. 

Commitments 

In response to the climate emergency declared in 2019, we are committed to:

• making the council's activities carbon neutral by 2030
• achieving 100% clean energy across the council's full range of functions by 2030
• ensuring that all strategic decisions, budgets and approaches to planning decisions are in line with a shift to zero carbon by 2030
• ensuring that political and chief officers embed this work in all areas and take responsibility for reducing, as rapidly as possible, the carbon emissions resulting from the council's activities, guaranteeing that any recommendations are fully costed
• supporting and working with all other relevant agencies towards making the entire area carbon neutral within the same timescale
• working with, influencing and inspiring partners across the borough to help deliver this goal through all relevant strategies, plans and shares resources by developing a series of meetings, events and partner workshops
• the council and its partners taking steps to proactivitely include young people in the process, ensuring that they have a voice in shaping the future
• calling on the UK Government to provide the powers, resources and help with funding to make this possible, and asking local MPs to do the same

Your commitments 

Delivering the Climate Change Strategy is not just the responsibility of us. You can make your own personal or organisational pledge.

Examples of pledges to make:

• businesses can make a pledge to begin monitoring carbon emissions
• organisations can pledge to embed climate and environmental action within all activities 
• individuals can pledge to reduce waste going into the green waste bin 
• individuals can pledge to reuse, recycle, begin composting and wasting less
• individuals can pledge to swapping one of their car journeys and instead walk, cycle or use public transport instead

We recognise that not every action will be popular with everyone, but to ensure that we still have a planet that is liveable, some sacrifices will need to be made. Fortunately, many changes have additional benefits to saving the planet, like saving money or improving your health, all of which will encourage the change. 

Commitments 

In response to the climate emergency declared in 2019, we are committed to:

• making the council's activities carbon neutral by 2030
• achieving 100% clean energy across the council's full range of functions by 2030
• ensuring that all strategic decisions, budgets and approaches to planning decisions are in line with a shift to zero carbon by 2030
• ensuring that political and chief officers embed this work in all areas and take responsibility for reducing, as rapidly as possible, the carbon emissions resulting from the council's activities, guaranteeing that any recommendations are fully costed
• supporting and working with all other relevant agencies towards making the entire area carbon neutral within the same timescale
• working with, influencing and inspiring partners across the borough to help deliver this goal through all relevant strategies, plans and shares resources by developing a series of meetings, events and partner workshops
• the council and its partners taking steps to proactively include young people in the process, ensuring that they have a voice in shaping the future
• calling on the UK Government to provide the powers, resources and help with funding to make this possible, and asking local MPs to do the same

Your commitments 

Delivering the Climate Change Strategy is not just the responsibility of us. You can make your own personal or organisational pledge.

Examples of pledges to make:

• businesses can make a pledge to begin monitoring carbon emissions
• organisations can pledge to embed climate and environmental action within all activities 
• individuals can pledge to reduce waste going into the green waste bin 
• individuals can pledge to reuse, recycle, begin composting and wasting less
• individuals can pledge to swapping one of their car journeys and instead walk, cycle or use public transport instead

We recognise that not every action will be popular with everyone, but to ensure that we still have a planet that is liveable, some sacrifices will need to be made. Fortunately, many changes have additional benefits to saving the planet, like saving money or improving your health, all of which will encourage the change. 

What we have achieved so far

Gateshead council has made significant progress in recent years in reducing the carbon emissions associated with our own activities. Investment in new technologies has helped us reduce reliance on fossil fuels for providing heat and power to our buildings. Improving the efficiency of street lighting and the vehicles we use has also had a significant impact. 

Since 2010 we have reduced the carbon emissions associated with the councils activities by 55%. In February 2021 we published a Climate Emergency Plan that will deliver on the council's commitment to make its own activities carbon neutral by 2030.

However, the council's own activities account for only 2.5% of Gateshead's total emissions. Clearly, achieving a significant reduction in total emissions from Gateshead requires action within our communities, from Gateshead businesses and from our partners. This strategy aims to deliver our commitment of making the whole of Gateshead carbon neutral 2030. It sets out how communities, businesses and other agencies can reduce their carbon footprint, and the steps that the council can take in facilitating this. 

Our current position 

Gateshead as a borough produces around 5.3 tonnes of C02 (tC02) per person per year, compared to the national average of 5.4 tC02 per head. (Source - BEIS Local Authority greenhouse gas emission datasets to 2019). This has reduced by 36% since records began in 2005.

Emissions are generated roughly as 30% from the business and public sector, 30% from peoples homes, and 40% from transport. 

More information on the local authority carbon emissions 

More information on the 2019 UK local authority carbon dioxide emissions estimates 

What we have done well and what we need to improve

Gateshead Council has made impressive reductions in carbon emissions and has begun to embed climate change into all areas of Council activity. In addition, the Council has led and participated in a variety of projects that will benefit the planet, as well as, the people of Gateshead. 

The Council with partners, has been exemplary in delivery of low carbon heat and power schemes, including the extensive social panel installation, District Energy Scheme and innovations around mine water energy.

Another example of success is The Gateshead Community Food Network involving 45-50 local community organisations, charities, businesses and third sector partners to explore and deliver ways to both reduce food waste and make surplus food available to those households and families who need it. 

Gateshead's bike donation scheme, implemented during lockdown, has been highly successful this year, redistributing more than 60 unwanted bikes to new homes with our most vulnerable residence.

Other successes include the planting of thousands of trees as part of the North East Community Forest, including those planted at Whitehills in Spring 2022 by volunteers. 

The innovative Northumbria Groundwater Flooding Project will improve understanding of groundwater risk through mapping, monitoring, and investigate management solutions, such as; flood warnings, engineered solutions and community engagement, to help Gateshead become more resilient. 

Find out more about the positive work that the Council and its partners are doing within Gateshead

The council recognises that to meet its ambitious targets we cannot be complacent and need to continue working innovatively, continue to educate and work with communities and partners to deliver carbon reduction throughout Gateshead. Key areas the Council seek to improve include; community engagement on climate issues, monitoring and reporting on climate actions and coordination of Council and stakeholder contributions to climate change. 

To address this we will be liasing with the community more, we are developing ward action plans, we have set up a new carbon monitoring tool for our operations and we are liasing with partners, business and stakeholders through our existing partnerships and new set ups. We ill continue to report our progress on an annual basis. 

By 2030 we will have achieved our commitment to making Gateshead carbon neutral, organisations will be working together in a combined effort to reduce carbon emissions. Opportunities in the 'green economy' will be realised within the businesses benefiting from sustainable growth.

Our community will have healthier and more active lifestyles, improved access to nature, cleaner air, warmer homes with lower energy bills and better access to local services. We will have supported our community through this change, and we will reduce inequalities across the borough, enabling everyone to thrive.

Our vision will be implemented though the Climate Strategy and the measures contained in this strategy will also help deliver outcomes from the Health and Wellbeing strategy, Thrive, the Economic Strategy, the Local Plan, the Tyne and Wear Transport Plan and other strategies.

What does success look like?

• to be carbon neutral (scopes 1 and 2 by 2030)

• to have a scope 3 carbon neutral target set by 2025

• for the climate and environment to be factored into all Council decisions by 2025

• for residents to be healthy, happy and thriving, whilst caring for the environment

In addition to reducing our impact on climate change, we need to adapt to the changes that we are already facing and are going to face in the future, from flooding events to wildfires. Adaptation needs to take place to ensure that our communities are kept safe and our economy is resilient but also that our environment is protected, including animals and plants.

Identifying adaptation needs in our localities is an important first step to planning for adaptation in Gateshead. To make Climate Change more digestible, we have split it into themes, and each theme has its own vision:

- Transport
- Energy
- Economy, consumption and waste 
- Woodland and nature
- Food
- Adaptation to Climate Change and Building flood resilience

Transport

• support the migration to zero emission vehicles through the provision of electric charging infrastructures for vehicles in appropriate locations, and will work with the public transport operators to support them in making all buses zero emission
• work together to address how services and goods can be delivered with zero carbon impact. We'll make services and facilities more accessible within communities, minimising the need to travel, and the amount of distance travelled (20 minute neighbourhoods)
• increase awareness amongst the community of greener, healthier transport
• aim to reduce the number of children travelling to school by car

The North East Transport Plan puts climate change at its heart. The council and partners will implement this objective in its programme of sustainable transport schemes and work with businesses including public transport operators to make sustainable travel more affordable and accessible.

• Walking and cycling will become the natural choices for shorter journeys. We will make improvements to the infrastructure to help people make these choices which will help people improve their health and save money
• Public transport will become a more attractive choice by making improvements to the network and working in partnership with stakeholders, including the public transport operators, to improve ticketing options and information

Energy

We will continue to priorities reduction in energy use in the following areas:

• for homes, including Council stock investment
• for businesses, with services to support recourse effectively
• for council buildings, through invest-to-save energy saving measures

To deliver our Zero Carbon Heat Strategy, we will:

• continue to invest in heat networks for council homes and buildings, and their surrounding communities
• support installation of heat pumps where viable
• with partners, we will support the growth of clean, green hydrogen, like InTEGReL and HyDeploy2, as an alternative to heating fuel
• embrace national policies and infrastructure that aim to decarbonise power supplies by 80% at least 2030, and completely by 2040.

Our aim is for Gateshead to lead by example in the North East's low carbon heat cluster, for clean heat provision and research.

Economy, consumption and waste

• for sustainable business to flourish in Gateshead
• for consumerism to be mindful of carbon implications with a shift towards a greener economy
• to reduce waste
• for the re-use and re-purpose of materials for consumables to become common place (buy less, re-use, swap, buy second hand, buy local, buy ethical, sharing and borrowing culture)
• to manage all waste appropriately within the waste hierarchy (reduce, re-use, recycle) including recycling and energy from waste
• to work towards a doughnut economy - looking after the needs of both society and the planet
• to explore options for the new technology to help reduce emissions, for example, hydrogen fuel or carbon capture and storage, and for the green economy to thrive

Woodland and nature 

• maximise and protect our woodland and habitats 
• leave the environment in a better state than we found it
• plant 100,000 trees by 2030 and work with partners to increase woodland cover from 15% to 17% by 2050
• allow our communities to be able to access and enjoy the countryside and urban nature using sustainable methods of transport, supporting health and wellbeing

Food

• make low carbon, sustainable food available to all
• reduce food waste in all sources
• reduce food miles for residents and businesses
• encourage a reduced meat diet
• have a thriving, sustainable food network that addresses food poverty, food scarcity and climate change
• increase education in food

Adaptation to climate change and building flood resilience

Support the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) to deliver the programme of local flood mitigation schemes and working with key stakeholders, such as, the Environment Agency and Northumbrian Water, to manage flooding in communities that have been affected by flooding incidents or are at high risk of flooding. 

Support the Environment Agency with the delivery of Team Valley Food Alleviation Scheme to reduce flood risk on Team Valley Trading Estate including day lighting culvert, upstream storage, natural flood management, embankment, surface water management, SuDS and a flood warning system. 

Ensure today's growth and infrastructure is resilient to tomorrow's climate. 

Put in place sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and flood mitigation measures within major new developments.

Make properties in high risk areas more flood resilient, by encouraging communities and businesses to incorporate property protection measures. For example, flood gates, and to prepare flood response plans to better enable premises to be insured. 

Consider England's long term water needs to ensure resilient water supplies and improve the water environment taking account of the North Water Resources Management Plan once complete.

Work with a range of partners through the Tyne, Teams, Tyne Estuary and Don river catchment partnerships and the Northumbrian Integrated Drainage Partnership.

SuDS incorporated within property, highways and green infrastructure. For example, water butts, rain water gardens, permeable paving, basins, and swales and ponds.

Create climate resilient places through integrated catchment management: Use nature-based solutions to reduce and slow the flows and achieve multiple environmental benefits, such as restoring biodiversity. 

Ensure landowners maintain their flood management assets. For example, watercourses, culverts, flood defences, drains SuDS (including Council assets).

Prepare for flooding events - appropriate warnings, alerts, evacuation plans and information from multi-agency partners. 

Build community engagement and prepare local flood response plans.

Ensure our communities are safe from the impacts of climate change including energy price rises.

Help our businesses be resilient to climate change.

For our biodiversity to be resilient to climate change.

This strategy starts to provide a framework for grass roots action to tackle climate change at the local level, with local actions, collaborations and behaviour changing. This strategy is intended to be a 'starter for ten' allowing for a collaborative approach to set goals and actions that the whole community in Gateshead can buy into and implemented through Ward Level Action Plans, Gateshead wide actions and other plans, actions and strategies.

Our strategy will be implemented through: sharing best practice, education, collaboration, hard work, commitment, funding, embedding climate into everything we do, behavioural change, taking account of carbon cost in addition to monetary cost, pledges and learning through mistakes.

Gateshead council pledges to:

Governance

The strategy will be delivered with support from all services in the Council. This will be in partnership with Gateshead businesses and organisations and the whole community, and championed by all Ward Councillors.

Climate change is everyone's business and we have embedded it into everything we do. No one person is responsible, Cabinet have taken shared responsibility to reach out goals. 

Carbon Budget for Gateshead

This data is provided by Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. The table below presents the Gateshead energy CO² only budget in the format of the 5-year carbon budget periods in the UK Climate Change Act. To align the 2020 to 210 carbon budget with the budget periods in the Climate Chang Act we have included estimated CO² emissions for Gateshead for 2018 and 2019, based on the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) provisional national emissions data for 2018, and assuming the same year on year reduction rate applied to 2019.

Ward Action Plans

Ward Level Action Plans are being drafted and will be consulted on and implemented on an ongoing basis. We want to work with our communities on detailed plans in their area to ensure we have a blueprint for change. 

We want to have local action, delivered by local communities in partnership with the council and other organisations that people can related to.

We want to tailor actions to each locality, recognising that Gateshead is a diverse borough with differing opportunities and barriers.

Monitoring of Ward Level Action Plans will be ongoing using targets set within the plans.

Examples of actions within the Ward Level Action Plans could include: 

• providing a community fridge 
• planting a community orchard
• improving signage for a cycle route
• setting up a repair and re-use workspace 
• creating a local wetland 

Action plan for Gateshead Council

In addition to Ward Level Action Plans, there will be actions that are overarching which are relevant to more than one ward, and these will also be documented and monitored. It is intended to keep the detailed actions separate to the over-arching Climate Strategy to enable this to be updated and reviewed on a regular basis. 

The action plan can include large scale infrastructure projects such as, energy generation or heat capturing through improvements to Keelman's Way or a borough wide behaviour change campaign. 

Monitoring of the Action Plan will be ongoing using targets set within the plan.