Climate change progress infographic

A summary of key progress since the climate emergency declaration in 2019 up until March 2025.

Key progress and achievements to date

Medway Council emissions reduced by 36% since 2018.
Council staff Annual Climate Volunteer Day set up.
Community Climate Working Group and Members Climate Working Party established.
15 schools supported to become an Eco-School.
More than £29,000 awarded to 13 businesses for energy efficiency improvements and 31 businesses completed a net zero audit.
Climate awareness embedded in adult education courses.
Climate-focused monthly newsletter and social media channels.

£1million government funding to upgrade the energy efficiency of council-owned homes to EPC C, cutting resident’s heating costs.
Energy saving measures installed in 229 homes supported by £2million of government funding.
Solar Together Kent: 2,343 panels installed across 235 homes, saving over 200 tonnes of CO2 in their first year.
2 Heat Network Studies completed – supported by almost £400,000 central government funding.
78 residents attended 6 home retrofitting information sessions.
£12million on retrofit measures across 11 council-owned buildings, including LED lighting, heat pumps and solar panels.
£11million invested in LED street lighting replacement programme – 70% energy reduction, 76.5% carbon saving.

2 weekends of free bus travel in 2024 – a 38% increase on expected bus passenger numbers.
School Streets in place at 7 schools, supported by £486,000 of central government funding.
5 electric vehicles in council fleet. Medway’s first electric vehicle event held at Rochester Castle.
34 publicly accessible electric vehicle charge points installed. £2.1million awarded to install 140 on street EV charge points.
26 Medway businesses supported to try an electric vehicle for free in partnership with Kent County Council.

Medway Food Partnership set up to create a Medway food system that is good for people and the planet.
69 organisations signed up to the water Refill scheme to support a reduction in plastic waste.
Bronze Sustainable Food Places Award achieved.
Monthly Repair Cafés set up across Medway’s libraries and hubs.
Medway’s libraries have collected 12 tonnes of small waste electrical and electronic items for recycling since 2023.
Climate-friendly food actions published for individuals and businesses.

Living roof bus shelter and vertical meadow installed on Intra, Chatham.
Over £100,000 grant funding awarded for tree planting.
We’ve already started work on tree planting in 2025 with 3,600 trees planted at Deangate community parkland.
Water a Tree scheme set up to encourage our communities to help young trees during dry weather, by giving top up water.
75 free tree whips given to Medway’s residents to plant in their gardens as part of National Tree Week.
Work has commenced on a tree nursery at Cozenton Park.