In July 2019, Full Council declared a Climate and Biodiversity emergency.
Following this, a cross-party Climate Emergency Advisory Panel (CEAP) was established to conduct an audit of the Council’s current carbon footprint and develop a pathway to reach net zero by 2030.
Full Council in July 2019 (FC29/19) confirmed that:
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council recognises the overwhelming weight of scientific evidence pointing to man-made climate change and the harmful impacts this is having on natural habitats, ecosystems, biodiversity and our lives in general.
It notes the early work undertaken to date by the Council including efforts to promote active travel, increase recycling and the reduction of plastic usage in the Town Hall but understands it needs to do more.
Why we declared a climate emergency
Local Impacts of Climate Change
In Tunbridge Wells, we are already experiencing the effects of climate change. Increased rainfall and flooding, more frequent heatwaves, and changes in local biodiversity are evident. These changes affect our infrastructure, health, agriculture, and natural landscapes. By declaring a climate emergency, we acknowledge the immediate need to mitigate these impacts and protect our borough for future generations.
Our commitments
Emissions Reduction Targets
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is dedicated to achieving net zero carbon emissions for our operations and making the entire borough net zero compatible, both by 2030. This ambitious target requires decarbonising borough-wide systems and operations such as transportation, energy use, waste, buildings, and council operations. We will set interim milestones to ensure we stay on track and adapt our strategies as needed.
