Climate change strategy phase 2 delivery plan -

Executive summary

The Climate Change Strategy 2025 to 2030, which was approved last year by the council, is a key part of Bracknell Forest Council’s overall strategic direction. It is key to delivering on the green and sustainable environment priority of the Council Plan 2023 to 2027.

The Climate Change Programme covers a range of ongoing work to implement the strategy. We have now completed Phase 1 of the strategy (Transition). This publication sets out our strategic approach to delivery of the Bracknell Forest Council Climate Change Strategy 2025 to 2030. It focuses on Phase 2 (Acceleration) and beyond. It also illustrates our achievements and proposed next steps.

The climate change action plan for 2026 to 2027 sets out which actions we will take over the next financial year (2026 to 2027) to deliver on the strategy and delivery plan.

This programme is aligned with the council’s wider direction, including our values of being ambitious, inclusive and always learning. It demonstrates how delivery of the Climate Change Strategy will support the implementation of the council’s new operating model. It embeds ways of working that prioritise:

• community empowerment
• evidence-based decision making and innovation
• collaboration across services and partners

Context

Phasing

This plan follows the successful completion of Phase 1 of the strategy. Phase 1 focused on the transition from our old Climate Change Strategy 2020 to 2024 to make sure we built on its successes. It focused on quick wins and enabling work for delivery of the strategy. This included: 

• expanding capacity
• developing staff
• further research and evidence gathering
• creating detailed plans
• building partnerships

We are now entering Phase 2 of the strategy. This focuses on acceleration of climate action, and will run to March 2027. Phase 2 will focus on delivery of more significant actions, alongside laying the groundwork for the delivery of significant climate action at scale in Phase 3 (Delivery).

This will mark the beginning of a transition from the council investing in the Climate Change Programme to receiving the dividends of this investment, in terms of carbon savings, income and wider benefits.

Communities Strategy

A new Communities Strategy has been co-produced with over 20 local organisations. It focuses on community action and community cohesion, aiming to build strong, connected communities. 

The vision for this strategy is:

“Together we will further strengthen our community to ensure everyone belongs, is listened to, well informed and connected; people can join in, help each other and take pride in where they live and work.”

This approach formalises and deepens the approach to delivery of climate action we have already taken and which is set out in the Climate Change Strategy. We will seek to embed the principles of the Communities Strategy into our own work and take advantage to collaborate on this with other council teams and partners.

Devolution and regional collaboration

Bracknell Forest is expected be included in the Thames Valley area for devolution. Devolution is likely to mean that:

• we are included in a Strategic Authority, creating new opportunities for regional action and opening up new sources of funding
• a Spatial Development Plan is created to provide a regional framework for planning, and a strategic planning board is be formed to govern this process

Bracknell Forest Council is leading on strategic development of climate change work in preparation for these developments. This gives us an opportunity to embed this agenda in the heart of the new arrangements.

Wider developments

Developments on the international stage are creating a risk of large, sustained increases in energy costs. This includes the costs of fuel, electricity and natural gas. There is also a risk for overall economic instability. 

This could have significant impact on Bracknell Forest residents and businesses. Climate action will support energy saving and energy independence, thus helping to address this risk. This will be important context for work during this year.

Funding

Bracknell Forest Council has received the lowest funding settlement of any unitary authority in the country. Our revenue budget is set to increase by only 0.16% over the next 3 years (even with the maximum permitted increase in council tax).

This will not be sufficient to meet inflation and increases in demand for services like social care. This increases the importance of a key co-benefit of the Climate Change Strategy: supporting council finances and generating income.

Our strategic approach to Phase 2

This will mean the following for our strategy aims and enablers:

We will be focusing on several co-benefits of climate action. This includes:

• supporting council finances, due to the broader financial situation discussed above
• reducing energy and fuel bills for residents and local organisations, in response to instability in the global energy market
• greening the borough, in line with feedback from councillors and residents
• supporting good quality housing and economic growth and employment, in line with local and national priorities
• supporting health and wellbeing to improve residents’ quality of life and support the broader shift towards prevention of illness
• supporting inclusion and community empowerment, in line with our Equality Objectives and the new Communities Strategy
• supporting the shift to communities, voluntary organisations and partners owning and shaping solutions, with the council providing strategic support, capacity building and alignment

The section below on phasing of activities sets out what we will focus on in Phases 2 and 3 in more detail.

Our strategic approach to finance and funding

The Climate Change Strategy recognises that climate action is a collaborative enterprise with responsibility distributed across the borough. The council has invested in the Climate Change Programme in recent years in recognition of its leadership role within the borough. In line with the strategy and our financial targets, we will now focus on generating the financial and non-financial return on this investment. 

Council funding and resources will continue to be needed in the following areas:

1. Investing in decarbonising our own operations and protecting the organisation from climate change (though we will look to share the financial benefits of such investments with residents through financing schemes such as Local Climate Bonds).
2. Facilitating and convening local climate action in line with our leadership and place-shaping responsibilities, including supporting others to secure funding.
3. Supporting individuals who are at risk of being impacted by climate change or missing out on the benefits of climate action (for example, because they cannot invest in their assets themselves), in line with Principle 1 of the Climate Change Strategy. This will include facilitating support from regional or national government.
4. Creating the conditions for wider action, including by providing investment or seed funding in areas where the market is not yet sufficiently well developed for external or private sector delivery.

To embed collaborative climate action and generate income to meet savings targets, offsetting the costs above, the council will follow the following principles:

1. Where investment is needed which will ultimately pay off over time (for example in solar panels or electric vehicles), the cost of this should generally be borne by the person or organisation who will benefit from the return on investment in the long term.
2. People and organisations will need to invest in their assets to protect them from the impacts of climate change in the long term.
3. Where the council does fund schemes to support climate action which may generate a financial return, we will generally look to structure this as an investment so that we share in any income generated by the investment.
4. In order to deliver projects which create community benefits, the council will take a collaborative and flexible approach, pooling its resources with the time, resources or funding provided by residents and local organisations (for example, through Corporate Social Responsibility activities) and seeking grant funding.
5. Where the council provides support to external projects or helps people and organisations to fulfil their obligations, realise financial benefits, or mitigate risks, there will be a general expectation that this expertise will be paid for to help cover costs.

 To embed these principles, in Phase 2 we will look to:

• create a funding framework which expands on the principles above and sets out how they will be applied fairly across the borough, in collaboration with local stakeholders
• identify and develop capital investment opportunities which might generate a return in future years
• identify and apply to sources of grant funding we can use to cover some of our activities, either in our own right or as partners in wider projects
• identify and trial sources of income for the council from climate activities to help cover costs and cross-subsidise other activities

Potential capital investment opportunities for the council identified include:

• upgrades to our own estate to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions
• small-scale renewable energy generation, with the power being sold to end users
• EV charging infrastructure

Potential income generation opportunities identified include:

• realising savings through increased efficiency within the climate change team, including from AI and from collaboration with partner organisations
• securing grant funding for climate change activities
• corporate social responsibility funding from local businesses
• sale of Beyond Value Chain Mitigation opportunities, which help businesses meet Science-Based Target (SBTi) commitments by supporting emissions reductions elsewhere
• offering advisory and training services to local businesses and organisations
• offering advisory services to support those looking to undertake development in the area with the planning process
• delivering new statutory duties with the extra funding made available by government, for example playing a role as a zone coordination body for local heat networks
• delivering services on behalf of and with support from the new Strategic Authority for the Thames Valley

Risks

There are a number of key risks to delivery of the Climate Change Programme which we will be working to mitigate over the course of Phase 2 and beyond. This section sets out the key risks identified so far. 

Our climate change work depends on collaboration with council teams and partners across the borough who are key to making progress.

We can mitigate this risk by continuing to invest time in building partnerships and forums for collaboration like the Joint Climate Action Board.

Discussions around climate change may become increasingly politicised, and not all residents and local groups may see the value in climate action.

We can mitigate this risk by explaining the climate change programme and its aims. We will focus on co-benefits which directly improve the lives of residents in the short to medium term.

Climate action across the council and the borough will require substantial capital investment to unlock future benefits. This will be beyond what the council and other local organisations can raise.

We can mitigate this risk by developing different sources of finance. Sources include: 

• Local Climate Bonds
• collaboration with the private sector
• developing a strategic regional approach to climate adaptation and mitigation
• accessing government funding

We cannot get to net zero without substantial changes at and funding from the national level. Our progress is dependent on this being provided.

We can mitigate this by working with other councils to build regional structures and articulate our needs to government.

Phasing of activities

This information below shows how our strategic approach will be implemented by breaking down: 

• the actions we have made progress on in Phase 1
• the actions which will be a focus for delivery in Phase 2
• the actions which need further work to develop before delivery can begin

They are cross-referenced with the Climate Change Strategy aims and objectives (in brackets).

Exploration and development of actions for Phase 3 will continue over the next year alongside delivery of the Phase 2 action plan.

Key

• items marked ^ are ongoing activities we will continue to deliver in Phase 2 and beyond
• items marked * are intended to be delivered in Phase 2 subject to the outcome of further investigation and engagement

What we have delivered in Phase 1

We have:

• created and delivered the decarbonisation plan for estate (A1) ^
• upgraded small vehicles to electric vehicles (A2)
• increased staff travel engagement, including the EV leasing scheme and pool e-bike (A3) ^
• agreed on climate change plans with selected suppliers (A4) ^
• created procurement guidance (A5)

What we will begin to deliver in Phase 2

In Phase 2 we will:

• update our procurement social value policy to enhance climate change measures (A5) *
• develop a retrofitted council property to act as a show home *
• use Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil for refuse vehicles (A2)

What we will explore for Phase 3

During Phase 3 we will explore:

• the decarbonisation of large vehicles (A2)

What we have delivered in Phase 1

We have:

• installed solar panels on schools (B1) ^
• supported the Switch Together group buying scheme (formerly Solar Together) for residents (B3) ^
• given support for delivery of government grant funding for vulnerable residents (B4) ^
• created Sustainable Construction Guidance for developers, launching in Phase 2 (B6)

What we will begin to deliver in Phase 2

In Phase 2 we will:

• launch the Sustainable Construction Guidance and investigate further support for developers
• invest in small-scale solar installations (B1) *
• integrate energy advice into community and business engagement work (B5)
• develop proposals for Bracknell town centre heat network (B7)

What we will explore for Phase 3

During Phase 3 we will explore:

• investment in larger-scale renewable installations
• support for development of a Local Area Energy Plan for Berkshire (B2)
• delivery of a new, expanded retrofit support scheme (B3)
• construction waste recycling (B6)
• the delivery of Bracknell town centre heat network (B7)
• opportunities from the Warm Homes Plan and Local Power Plan (B4)

What we have delivered in Phase 1

We have:

• set up EV charging in council car parks (C3) ^
• seen through active travel infrastructure improvements and engagement (C1/C5) ^

What we will begin to deliver in Phase 2

In Phase 2 we will:

• set up a shared bike scheme (C1) *
• create a small-scale car club (C4) *
• deliver an on-street EV charging network (C3)

What we will explore for Phase 3

During Phase 3 we will explore:

• demand-responsive transport (C2)
• larger EV charging hubs
• expanded car club rollout (C4)

What we have delivered in Phase 1

We have:

• made habitat improvements (D2) ^
• grown engagement on waste separation (D3) ^

What we will begin to deliver in Phase 2

In Phase 2 we will:

• establish a framework for urban tree-planting and biodiversity schemes (D1/D2)
• support a repair café (E3)

What we will explore for Phase 3

During Phase 3 we will explore:

• expanding kerbside recycling (D4)

What we have delivered in Phase 1

We have:

• provided development support for BFCCA (E1) ^
• hosted climate change summits (E1) ^
• created the climate action grant scheme (E2)
• launched the climate hub in Bracknell Library (E3)
• created a support directory for schools (E8) ^
• encouraged school engagement on healthy and sustainable food (E8) ^
• hosted the schools’ climate conferences (E8) ^

What we will begin to deliver in Phase 2

In Phase 2 we will:

• establish the climate champions scheme (E7)

What we have delivered in Phase 1

We have:

• created the climate risk assessment tool for council services (F1/F2)

What we will begin to deliver in Phase 2

In Phase 2 we will:

• run council climate change workshops and risk assessments (F1/F2)

What we will explore for Phase 3

During Phase 3 we will explore:

• the implementation of risk management measures (F3/F4/F5)

What we have delivered in Phase 1

We have:

• improved local road infrastructure (G2) ^
• provided support for local food production (G4) ^

What we will begin to deliver in Phase 2

In Phase 2 we will:

• develop a climate risk assessment tool for the borough (G1)
• focus on work with vulnerable residents (G3) *

What we will explore for Phase 3

During Phase 3 we will explore:

• completing a climate risk assessment for the borough (G1)

What we have delivered in Phase 1

We have:

• provided online advice for businesses (H2)
• established partnerships to support local pledge (H3)

What we will begin to deliver in Phase 2

In Phase 2 we will:

• launch a business and organisation advice and support service (H2)
• launch a climate pledge (H3)
• promote Bracknell as a green business location (H5)
• support green work experience and skills (H6)

What we will explore for Phase 3

During Phase 3 we will explore:

• launching an award scheme to incentivise business action (H1)
• targeted support for green business (H4)

What we have delivered in Phase 1

We have:

• relaunched the Officer Climate Network ^
• delivered staff Carbon Literacy Training (I1) ^
• invested in climate change team to accelerate delivery (I2)
• launched the Integrated Assessment Tool, improving consideration of climate change in project and budget proposals (I3)

What we have delivered in Phase 1

We have:

• created the project pipeline and grant funding directory (J1/J2)

What we will begin to deliver in Phase 2

In Phase 2 we will:

• deliver the Local Climate Bond (J3)
• work to identify and pursue funding opportunities

What we will explore for Phase 3

During Phase 3 we will explore:

• public-private partnership opportunities (J4)

What we have delivered in Phase 1

We have:

• had a co-delivery approach to climate action and communication of how others can link in to our activities (K1/K4) ^
• supported the creation of the Community Climate Emergency Strategy (K2)
• collaborated with other Berkshire local authorities (K3) ^
• engaged with key external bodies and relaunched the Joint Climate Action Board (K5) ^

What we will begin to deliver in Phase 2

In Phase 2 we will:

• collaborate at Thames Valley scale to embed climate change into arrangements for new Strategic Authority (K3)
• explore deeper engagement with parish and town councils

What we have delivered in Phase 1

We have:

• launched work on scope 3 emissions measurement (L1) ^
• developed university partnerships (L2) ^
• shared successes and case studies (L3) ^