The emission of greenhouse gases trap heat and make the planet warmer, causing climate change.

In Royal Greenwich... 

• existing buildings, homes and businesses, are the single biggest source of emissions 
• a third of emissions come from transport – car, vans and trucks 
• but, the number of miles driven on our roads continues to increase: by one hundred and thirty million between 2014 and 2019. 

The Council wants to know how you will help the Royal Borough of Greenwich tackle the climate emergency and reach its ambitious target of net zero carbon emissions by 2030. This is your opportunity to have your say on the draft carbon neutral plan, that sets out what changes we’ll make and what actions are necessary, before it is formally adopted by the Council in spring 2021.  

Cllr Danny Thorpe, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said:  

“We set this ambitious target because the risks associated with climate change are real and serious. The Council can’t solve climate change alone. The choices we each make as individuals like how we travel, use energy, what we buy and the waste we create all play a big part.  

“What we can do is make change more attractive, by improving infrastructure and helping people understand the options but it’s essential that residents, businesses and organisations all take shared ownership of the plan too. This is just the beginning of the conversation please get involved and help us shape it.” 

Cllr Sizwe James, Cabinet Member for Environment, Sustainability and Transport, said:  

“Climate change and poor air quality are already having a dramatic negative effect on our health and, much like COVID-19, have become an issue of equality and social justice. The effects of climate change are likely to affect our elderly, vulnerable and poorer residents the most, so if we take action to lower our emissions, the same residents will benefit from warmer homes, cleaner air and lower energy bills. I would urge as many residents as possible to look at the draft plan and have their say now.” 

What the Council has already achieved... 

The Council has set an ambitious target because we've already been making progress over the past four years as part of our Greener Greenwich strategy, including:  

• procuring 100% green electricity
• building low carbon homes
• creating safer routes for walking and cycling
• creating controlled parking zones to discourage car use
• installing electric vehicle charging points
• planting thousands of extra trees
• setting up a partnership of businesses and local organisations to help reduce emissions across the borough.  

Have your say on the draft carbon neutral plan now

You have until 7 March to give us your feedback.   

Hard copies available on request. Please email: sustainability@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.