Climate change

Climate change presents the county council and the Staffordshire public with both challenges and opportunities. By acting now and working together as a county, we can tackle the impacts that could arise, and at the same time benefit from initiatives that save money and protect the environment.

What is the county council doing?

We recognise the importance of climate change and its impact on the residents and business of Staffordshire. In July 2019 we declared a climate change emergency to demonstrate a commitment to taking action to reduce climate change impacts across every aspect of our service provision and estate. The declaration, in alignment with national government targets provided a commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Our climate change action plan for 2020-21 covers five key areas:

• organisation carbon reduction

• air quality

• natural environment

• waste

• behaviour change

Climate change action plan 2020-21

The 2020-21 plan is available to download and/or print out:

• Climate change action plan (191 KB)

How can this be done?

This can be achieved from a range of measures. Some are achieved at no cost, such as our schools' energy efficiency scheme. Some require investment, such as installing solar panels and biomass boilers.

• Schools' energy efficiency scheme (119 KB)
   
• Solar PV (355 KB
    
• Biomass boilers (144 KB)

We also work on many projects in partnership with Staffordshire’s district and borough councils, universities, emergency services, the Civil Contingencies Unit and community groups to ensure a county-wide approach to climate change.

Grants

Most local authorities in Staffordshire provide help for householders to repair, improve or adapt their living accommodation. Thermal insulation is one of the measures covered.

Help may be available in your district:

• Stafford Borough
  
  
• East Staffordshire
  
  
• Staffordshire Moorlands
  
  
• Tamworth Borough
  
  
• Lichfield District
  
  
• Cannock Chase District
   
• Newcastle-under-Lyme
   
• South Staffordshire 

Energy company obligation

You may be eligible for financial assistance towards energy efficiency measures if you meet certain eligibility through the energy company obligation (ECO). This covers:

• Affordable warmth obligation: Low income and vulnerable households (not in social housing) may be eligible for free heating and insulation improvements.
  
  
• Carbon saving obligation: Those living in properties with solid walls and hard-to-treat cavity walls may be eligible forfree insulation.
  
  
• Carbon saving communities obligation: Households in the 15% most deprived areas in the country may be eligible for free insulation measures. There is also support available for rural populations with people in areas with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants.

Check with your existing energy supplier to see if you’re eligible for any assistance through ECO or any other grants such as the warm homes discount.

You can also contact the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234 for free and impartial advice on energy saving and any financial assistance that may be available.