Brighton & Hove among top 15% of unitary authorities for climate action

The council has been ranked among the top 15% of unitary authorities in the UK for climate action in a recent study by Climate Emergency UK. 

Climate Emergency UK  

Climate Emergency UK is a non-profit that supports councils across the country to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and promotes best practice about the climate and biodiversity emergencies. 

The organisation has created the Council Climate Action Scorecards to rank each of the UK’s local authorities for climate action they have taken.  

Scoring methodology  

While the 2023 scorecards are based on climate action undertaken by local authorities, Climate Emergency UK previously published Council Climate Plan Scorecards in 2022. These scores were assessed using Climate Action Plans published by local authorities.   

This means the two scores cannot be compared to show year-on-year progress as the methodology and scoring processes varied significantly from 2022 to 2023.  

More information about the methodology is available on the Climate Emergency UK website.  

In 2022, Brighton & Hove City Council was ranked in the top 20% of unitary authorities for our Climate Action Plan.  

In 2023, we moved up the rankings to the top 15% of unitary authorities, scoring particularly highly for building and heating, biodiversity, and collaboration and engagement.  

Focusing efforts 

Councillor Trevor Muten, Chair of the Transport & Sustainability Committee, said: “We recognised that in tackling the climate and biodiversity emergencies in Brighton & Hove, there is much to do.  

“Local projects and initiatives have an important part in helping to reach carbon neutrality.   

“We recently launched the City Downland Estate Plan to protect and enhance the Downs and parkland in and around Brighton & Hove for future generations and support our commitment to carbon neutrality.  

“At Wilding Waterhall, we’re rewilding a former council golf course by restoring rare chalk grassland, improving biodiversity and reducing the effects of climate change while improving access for residents and visitors.  

“We’ve expanded our electric vehicle fleet and charging infrastructure to reduce emissions and have introduced an Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy to align our supply chain with our net zero commitments.  

“We are also developing walking and cycling infrastructure and strategically planning a low carbon transport system for the 2030s. 

“However, we recognise that we need more than local initiatives. There is still a long way to go on our journey to net zero. The results of the Council Climate Action Scorecards will help us to focus our efforts and maximise our impact.  

“This is why we will soon set out our first ever strategy to reach net zero as a city; developing clear pathways to get there, presenting the risks and costs to communities and working in partnership with communities and businesses to achieve a realistic, funded plan.” 

Carbon Neutral 2030 Annual Report 

At the Transport and Sustainability Committee on Tuesday 3 October, councillors noted Brighton & Hove’s Carbon Neutral 2030 Programme Annual Report for 2022/23.  

This programme is the council’s response to the climate and biodiversity emergency and sets the city’s direction for action on climate change and biodiversity loss. This includes measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance biodiversity, and adapt to climate change.