Climate and nature emergency in South Gloucestershire

South Gloucestershire Council declared a climate emergency on 17 July 2019.

We recognise that the global climate is in a state of breakdown and this is an emergency. We also recognise that biodiversity and the natural systems on which all life depends are in crisis.

We are taking action by preparing for the local impacts of the climate and nature emergency, reducing our carbon emissions and protecting and restoring our natural environments.

You can read our original Climate Emergency Declaration.

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Our pledge

We have pledged to:

  • provide the leadership to enable South Gloucestershire to become carbon neutral by 2030
  • prepare for the local impacts of a changing climate
  • set out an area wide Climate and Nature Emergency Action Plan each year until 2030

Since 2022 we have brought together our plans and reporting into a single climate and nature annual review and action plan.

We have signed up to:

Our progress

You can read our:

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Here are examples of some of the environmental projects we have underway.

Climate and nature decision wheel

Since April 2023 we have been using a new decision-making tool, the Climate and Nature Decision Wheel.

Its purpose is to help make sure better social and environmental outcomes are always considered when we make decisions about projects, especially those that need £100,000 or more of external funding.

Watch this short video to find out how this tool works.

How we are working to restore nature

We have set ambitious targets to restore nature across our area. We aim to

  • double tree canopy
  • increase the amount of land managed positively for nature
  • connect sites for nature
  • improve our river catchments

We have put in place policies to protect and restore nature on land and waters we manage to help us meet these goals.

They include policies on our approach to pesticide use, dealing with problem plants and our pollinator action plan.

How we are working to reduce our carbon emissions

The infographic below shows progress to December 2024 on our key emissions targets:

More detailed data on emissions from council buildings, our estate and activities is available in our:

Our Net Zero dashboard helps track our progress towards becoming a carbon neutral area – view our 2024 dashboard.

Further information about reducing the region's carbon emissions

Our Plan to 2030 research report looks at the likely remaining carbon emissions in our area by 2030 when both the maximum possible national and local interventions have been applied.

It makes recommendations about what we should focus on delivering for maximum impact between now and 2030.

This report was produced by the South Gloucestershire Climate Emergency University Advisory Group and has been used to inform the development of our Year 4 Climate and Nature Emergency Action Plan 2023/24.

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Who we are working with

We are working with residents, community groups, businesses, and partners to:

  • build local resilience to the changing climate
  • restore nature
  • reduce carbon emissions

The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) declared a climate emergency on 19 July 2019 and committed to a target of net zero emissions by 2030. We are working with WECA and the other unitary authorities to reach this target.

Town and parish councils

At a local level, we are working with town and parish councils on local climate and nature action plans.

We have produced a toolkit and guidance to support councils in their efforts to cut carbon emissions and improve biodiversity.

The following town and parish councils have a local nature action plan:

These town and parish councils are currently developing their plan:

  • Bitton Oldland
  • Charlton Hayes
  • Doynton
  • Hanham Abbots
  • Pilning
  • Rangeworthy
  • Staple Hill

The South Gloucestershire Partnership

We are members of the South Gloucestershire local strategic partnership which is made up of public, private, community and voluntary organisations working together to promote the economic, social and environmental well-being of the people in South Gloucestershire.

The partnership steers the delivery of the annual South Gloucestershire Climate Emergency Action Plan and publishes a review of our performance against its commitments.

Community groups and volunteers

We have a strong network of community groups taking action on the climate and nature emergency.

Groups and individuals meet quarterly as part of our climate and nature emergency community engagement group.

We also work with volunteers who help look after our open spaces including parks, nature reserves, and woodlands.

Find out how you can get involved in our community spaces network.

More information

You can sign up to our climate and nature emergency mailing list or contact us by email on climate.emergency@southglos.gov.uk

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