Posted on Wednesday 12th March 2025
Cllr Simon Tagg
Reaching net zero emissions by 2050 along with preparing for the changing climate is the focus of the county council’s latest Climate Change Action Plan.
The five-year plan which sets out the council’s priorities up to 2030 builds on the previous plan which focussed on carbon emission reduction and introduces greater consideration to building resilience to the changing climate.
The new plan will include:
- A stronger focus on climate resilience: the plan broadens its scope beyond emissions reduction by focusing on adapting to the effects of climate change. This includes preparing for hotter, drier summers, milder, wetter winters, and more frequent extreme weather events.
- Comprehensive risk assessment: a detailed risk assessment is included, identifying 55 climate risks related to heat, cold, rain, and storms, as well as impacts on residents, businesses, and visitors.
Simon Tagg, Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for environment, infrastructure and climate change, said:
“We are on a mission to make Staffordshire sustainable.
“Back in 2019 we declared a climate change emergency and since then we've made good progress, reducing our carbon emissions by 52%. However, we recognise that reducing emissions alone isn't enough. We must also prepare for the changing climate that will impact our communities, infrastructure, and natural environment.
“Our new five-year plan is ambitious but will build on our previous achievements in reducing emissions and outlines new actions to enhance climate change resilience within our services."
Reducing emissions by 52% in the first five years included the use of HVO fuel in fleet vehicles, LED lighting upgrades and funding for energy efficiency work in corporate properties and schools.
The plan will be discussed at the next meeting of the council’s Cabinet on Wednesday 19 March.