What we are doing
How Lancaster City Council is helping to tackle climate change
Our climate emergency declaration commits the council to net zero carbon by 2030 while supporting individuals, business and organisations across the district to reach the same carbon zero goal.
On Tuesday (October 22) the council’s cabinet approved a Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP), which sets out a long-term vision for decarbonising the district by 2040 and looks beyond the council’s own 2030 target for its direct activities. The LAEP sets out the changes required to transition the Lancaster district energy system and built environment to net zero while also addressing fuel poverty. It details what changes are required, where, when and by whom.
It also provides a high-level overview of the likely scale of investment that will be required to achieve net zero. This includes:
- Domestic fabric upgrades - 38,000 domestic properties (approximately 54% of all buildings) are recommended to be retrofitted with fabric upgrade measures
- Low carbon heating – installing heat pumps to 52,000 – 65,000 and having approximately 75% of non-domestic building floorspace being heated by heat pumps in the future
- Installation of electric vehicle charge points - The LAEP recommends the deployment of up to 1,250 public charge points to plug the gaps. It is estimated that 45% of households will not have the ability to charge at home
- Local renewable generation - The district has a significant opportunity to generate renewable energy locally from solar PV and onshore wind. Up to 575 GWh of annual generation is recommended
- Energy Networks: The plan illustrates the importance of investment in the electricity network to ensure there is capacity for the rapid growth of low carbon technologies. The council has been working closely with Electricity North-West to develop the LAEP.
You can find out more on our Building Energy Decarbonisation Plan, fleet decarbonisation programme, electric car club scheme, renewable energy (Burrow Beck Solar Farm, Salt Ayre Leisure Centre decarbonisation programme and our Wind Turbine feasibility study) in the relevant sections below.
We're committed to supporting the district achieve net zero CO2 emissions and as part of that, we are creating a unique climate and nature strategy. We have been working with residents and partners to put together a vision for a vibrant, climate resilient district, holding a number of workshops across the district during October and November 2024. We are currently considering all these comments / discussions. More details to follow on the draft plan and further engagement opportunities. In the meantime feel free to email us at climate-emergency@lancaster.gov.uk if you have any queries.
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Top of the Leaderboard
Lancaster City Council is celebrating after topping a leaderboard for district councils in an assessment of the actions being taken to achieve net zero.
Climate Emergency UK created the scorecards by assessing seven areas: buildings and heating; transport; governance and finance; planning; biodiversity; collaboration and engagement, and waste reduction and food.
The district council average is 29% and only four district councils scored over 50%, with Lancaster the only district council to score over 60%.
The full results of the Climate Emergency UK scorecard can be found at councilclimatescorecards.uk.
Read all about how we are helping to reduce our carbon footprint as part of ongoing work to tackle climate emergency:
How the Council is retrofitting it's significant buildings and housing stock across the district.
How the Council is reducing its own transport emissions, the Council's shared transport scheme and the take up of electric taxis.
How the Council is going to be using planning powers, primarily through the Local Plans, to ensure low emission new buildings and homes, as well as ensuring new developments are built to minimise their environmental impact. We’re in the process of reviewing our Local Plan, which allocates land for new housing and employment. The review is looking at what additional polices it may need to include to address climate change.
How the Council is fulfilling its Biodiversity Duty, implementing its Green & Blue Infrastructure Strategy, declared ecological emergency and Grassland Management Strategy. In addition how we are supporting the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for the district.
How the Council is supporting initiatives to reduce single use plastic, waste reduction and to redistribute surplus food waste.
How the Council works with partners to tackle climate change.
How the Council's plan aims to tackle the climate emergency, monitors and reports risks around the climate and how climate emergency is at the heart of every council decision made.
Other projects
Coastal Protection >>>
We have a dedicated team who continue to deal with coast protecton, watercourse, flood risk and environmental management.
Solar Farm >>>
A solar farm which aims to provide cleaner, less expensive energ has been approved by Lancaster City Council’s Planning Regulatory Committee at a meeting 3 October 2024.
Air quality >>>
How we monitor, assess and coordinate control of air quality and thanks to 13 new sensors across the district, residents will now be able to keep tabs on it too via the EarthSense Portal.
Interactive Dashboards
- Lancaster City Council tCO2e emissions
- Domestic energy usage by postcode
- Savings due to the installation of Salt Ayre Leisure Centre Heat Pumps & 1.3mwp Solar Array
Get involved and keep informed
This is a space for you to share ideas, discuss important topics and contribute to the future of your district or email us at climate-emergency@lancaster.gov.uk. You can also sign up to Voice Your Views to receive updates on what we are doing in tackling climate change
