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.
Top of the Leaderboard
31 July 2025
It’s official – Lancaster City Council has again been recognised as the best performing district council in the country for climate action.
Following an update, our Climate Emergency UK Scorecard has been recalculated from 64% to 69% to accurately reflect the hard work that our teams have implemented across the council to mitigate the effects of climate change – including our future commitments. This marks an increase on the council’s 2023 score (61%). 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 results of the 2025 Climate Emergency UK scorecard can be found at https://councilclimatescorecards.uk/scoring/district/ (Re-Published 31 July 2025).
You can compare these with the 2023 Climate Emergency UK scorecard results: https://councilclimatescorecards.uk/2023/scoring/district/ (Published 18 October 2023)
Climate and Nature Strategy: Basics and Background>>>>>>
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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 2024. The ‘Climate and Nature Strategy: Basics and Background' provides an insight into why the Climate and Nature Strategy is being developed, sets the direction on themes and topics which the strategy could include, and outlines how stakeholders and communities can help shape the final report into something we can all use. Contact us for more details: climate-emergency@lancaster.gov.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.
Also have a look at our specific projects
We have a dedicated plan 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. Listen to our video too!
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.
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
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.
Also have a look at our specific projects
We’re in the process of reviewing the 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.
Also have a look at our specific projects
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 and how the Council provides funding for community climate action.
Specific projects
Coastal Protection >>>
We have a dedicated team who continue to deal with coast protecton, watercourse, flood risk and environmental management.
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.
Previous news
You can read all about our previous news by clicking here>>>
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
