In April 2019, Medway Council declared a climate change emergency.
Responding to this declaration fits with the Council Plan priority ‘Medway: a place to be proud of’ and the key outcome of a ‘clean and green environment’.
A report was presented to the Cabinet on 9 July 2019 setting out our aspirations and approach to delivering an action plan. View the Climate Change Motion Cabinet Report.
A cross-party Member Advisory Group was established and the first meeting was held in September 2019. The board, chaired by Deputy Leader Councillor Howard Doe, meets every 3 months to set direction and monitor progress. View the Member Advisory Group schedule.
Read the interview with Councillor Doe and Councillor Maple.
Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy (ELES)
We engaged with Kent County Council in the development of the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy (ELES).
Using an evidence-based approach, the strategy identifies actions to:
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- eliminate poor air quality
- reduce fuel poverty
- promote the development of an affordable, clean and secure energy supply.
The strategy was formally adopted by Cabinet on 12 January 2021. View the ELES Cabinet Report.
The ELES is a sub-strategy of the Kent Environment Strategy.
Watch a video about the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy (ELES).
Climate Change Action Plan
The Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy (ELES) has informed our Climate Change Action Plan, which includes the same 10 priority areas and an additional area, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, which we think is important to our planning.
Our Climate Change Action Plan was approved by the Cabinet on 8 June 2021 and a refreshed action plan was approved by Cabinet on 5 July 2022.
We published a Climate Response Communications and Engagement Strategy in August 2021 to support the delivery of the plan and ensure we engage with our communities and partners. This has now been updated in line with the 2022 version of the action plan.
Reporting
We have started to monitor the carbon footprint of our estate and operations. View our annual carbon emissions reports.
We are committed to regular reporting of our progress.
You can read more about our progress so far against each of the 11 priority areas in the action plan:
- Emission reduction pathways
- Public sector decision making
- Planning and development
- Climate emergency funding
- Building retrofit programme
- Transport, travel and digital connectivity
- Renewable energy generation
- Green and blue infrastructure
- Supporting low carbon business
- Communications
- Climate adaptation and resilience.
Get involved
Find out how you can help tackle the climate emergency. We have special pages for: