Climate change strategy for 2025 to 2030 - Executive summary

This strategy sets out the work Bracknell Forest Council will do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Bracknell Forest and make progress towards net zero, as well as protecting the borough from the impacts of climate change. 

Aims

It has the following aims:

Aim 1

Reduce net council emissions to zero as close to 2030 as possible.

Aim 2

Support the reduction of net borough emissions to zero as close to 2030 as possible, including in the priority areas of:

  1. Buildings and energy supply.
  2. Transport.
  3. Land and waste.

Aim 3

Engage and empower residents and communities to take climate action.

Aim 4

Prepare for the impacts of climate change including those:

  • on the council
  • on the borough

Aim 5

Support the expansion of the green economy.

Principles

The following key principles will be embedded in all the work done to deliver on these aims:

  1. Making sure the journey to net zero is fair to everyone.
  2. Working with and supporting others. 
  3. Making financially responsible decisions based on evidence. 
  4. Focusing on the needs and priorities of Bracknell Forest. 
  5. Making sure climate action delivers other benefits where possible. 
  6. Tackling climate change collectively as an organisation. 
  7. Harnessing innovation and technological development. 

A new action plan will be developed to underpin the strategy, incorporating and building on the actions in the strategy.

Phases of delivery

The council will deliver this strategy in 3 phases:

Phase 1: Transition

March 2025 to March 2026

Phase 1 will focus on quick wins and enabling work such as planning, research, exploratory work and capacity and relationship-building.

Phase 2: Acceleration

March 2026 to March 2027

Phase 2 will focus on laying the groundwork for wider delivery by securing funding, designing and procuring schemes and running trials.

Phase 3: Delivery

March 2027 onwards

Phase 3 will see the council deliver climate action at scale, both in its own operations and in support of borough-wide change.

Investing in enablers

Delivery will be underpinned by focusing on the following 4 enablers:

  1. Organisational capacity and skills
  2. Funding
  3. Partnerships
  4. Research and data