On 22 January 2019 Cornwall Council declared a climate emergency. The Council committed to preparing a report within 6 months. This report outlined the work needed to become carbon neutral by 2030. As part of the process we spoke to thousands of residents across Cornwall. On 24 July 2019 the Cabinet unanimously approved the ambitious plan.
Download the full Climate Change Action PlanPlease note; This is an extensive 63 page document
Read more about what the Council is doing
Greenprint for a cleaner, greener and fairer Cornwall
Our response to the climate emergency is an ongoing conversation. This is with organisations and individuals in Cornwall and beyond. We are continuing to engage and learn as new challenges and new opportunities arise.
The Carbon Neutral Cornwall Action Plan explains our vision for how Cornwall can become carbon neutral. We have made a good start and now we need everyone to get involved.
We want everyone to shape Cornwall's vision for reaching carbon neutrality.
We can make changes on a huge scale if we all make small changes to how we move, shop, eat, think and live, together.Read the Carbon Neutral Cornwall Call to ActionYou can help us shape Cornwall's Carbon Neutral 'greenprint' and put it into action.
Help shape the greenprint for a cleaner, greener and fairer Cornwall
Carbon Neutral Cornwall priority projects
Our plans provide a roadmap for carbon neutrality ahead of the Government's target of 2050, including:
- A Forest for Cornwall - 8,000 hectares (about 2% of Cornwall's land mass) of trees and hedges to absorb carbon and provide new outdoor spaces. The project will also help protect our existing trees, woodlands and hedges.
- Increasing the amount of renewable energy generated in Cornwall. Since 2009 we have increased the amount of electricity we can generate from 90 to over 800 megawatts. That means around 40% of Cornwall's electricity now comes from renewable sources. Cornwall's new smart-grid wind turbine is generating enough energy to power over 1,400 Cornish homes.
- The creation of a new planning document - the Climate Emergency Development Planning Document (DPD). This will help us plan measures to address and mitigate climate change and strengthen policies of the Cornwall Local Plan.
More information
For more information about Cornwall Council's Action Plan please email: climatechange@cornwall.gov.uk
