Our climate change commitments
On 13 September 2023, we declared a climate and biodiversity emergency. In response, we set ambitious new targets for emissions reduction. These targets are set out in the council motion below.
Motion of 13 September 2023
This council declares a climate and biodiversity emergency.
To that end, this council invites the Executive to:
- Resolve to review, broaden and accelerate its Climate Change Strategy. To commit to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions as close to 2030 as possible.
- Co-produce with the community a Community Climate Emergency Strategy. The aim will be to make the wider Bracknell Forest area net-zero as close to 2030 as possible.
- Both strategies should be produced in a financially transparent way. They will demonstrate accountability, affordability and economic benefits with clear interim, smart targets.
- Explore the feasibility of raising a Bracknell Forest Local Climate Bond. This will be to support decarbonisation projects throughout the borough.
- Revise the Biodiversity Action Plan to include audits of the state of nature in the borough and to highlight local biodiversity threats due to climate change. Reports of these will be presented annually. Any expected ecological impacts will also be added to Executive and council reports.
Climate change cooperation
The Climate Change Summit
In July 2023, we hosted our first Climate Change Summit.
Organisations from across the borough joined us to discuss how to move forward on climate action. The summit welcomed over 130 attendees from the council and local businesses, community groups and schools. Together, we showcased the commitment of our borough in tackling the climate emergency.
The Joint Climate Action Board
Following the summit, we and other attendees agreed to set up a Joint Climate Action Board. The aim of the board is to drive collaboration, coordinate joint action and track the progress of the borough towards net zero going forward.
The board is supported by the council but is a joint enterprise which brings together a range of key stakeholders. The board is chaired by Councillor Mary Temperton, Leader of the Council. The board supports the development of the Community Climate Emergency Strategy.
Joint Climate Action Board meetings
Board meetings will take place quarterly and will generally be held over Teams. You can find further details of all meetings on our Joint Climate Action Board meetings page.
Working groups
The board is supported by working groups, which are self-led, organised by volunteers from across the borough and exist to:
- share best practice in the sector and opportunities for action
- collect updates from members on their climate actions
- select representatives to contribute to the Joint Climate Action Board
- take on joint projects to tackle climate change, where appropriate
- help connections and networking
We would welcome your participation in one or more of the working groups. You can sign up by selecting the 'join our climate change initiative' button below:
Join our climate change initiative
The current working groups include:
- biodiversity and countryside
- business (through the Economic and Skills Development Partnership)
- education
- health
- housing
- parish and town councils
- transport
- voluntary, community and faith groups
- Bracknell Forest councillors (restricted membership)
- Bracknell Forest Council officers (restricted membership)