As the world turns its attention to the start of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, Waverley Borough Council proudly reaffirms its commitment to tackling climate change.
This year’s UN Climate Change Conference, more commonly known as COP30, is taking place from Monday 10 to Friday 21 November. It brings together world leaders, non-government organisations, businesses, scientists, and climate activists to accelerate action toward goals on climate change.
The summit’s first theme is Energy, Industry and Transport, with an emphasis on decarbonising key sectors. Waverley Borough Council is already delivering on this ambition locally through a number of different projects, aligned with the Council’s roadmap to becoming Net Zero by 2030.
Accelerating local energy transitions
Waverley Borough Council has made significant strides in the adoption of clean energy. The Council has installed several energy saving and decarbonisation technologies in our leisure centres, council offices and other public buildings, including solar panels and Air Source Heat Pumps. Solar photovoltaic panels alone save around 17 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually and we have reduced the energy consumption of our four leisure centres by 50% over the last ten years.
We have recently upgraded 59 of our council homes with energy saving improvements and have secured funding to improve a further 270 homes across Waverley over the next three years, providing warmer, more energy efficient and more affordable homes to residents.
We are also installing Electric Vehicle charging points in our public car parks, investing in projects to improve active travel infrastructure and supporting schools to install scooter and cycle parking, to encourage more car-free journeys to school.
In response to COP30, we will be hosting Climate Action workshops for local sixth form students at The Burys, Godalming, run by local organisation What Next? This is the fifth year these workshops have run, helping students explore what actions can be taken to limit climate change.
Delivering on climate agreements
Since declaring a Climate Emergency in 2019, Waverley Borough Council has:
- adopted a comprehensive Carbon Neutrality Action Plan, with 77 actions listed, including priority projects which have the greatest potential to reduce organisational greenhouse gas emissions.
- reduced our carbon footprint by 39% from the 2015 baseline.
- embedded sustainability into the Council’s Corporate Strategy.
- partnered with community groups to drive grassroots engagement.
Cllr Steve Williams, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability at Waverley Borough Council, said:
“COP30 is a powerful reminder that climate action must be both global and local.
“At Waverley, we’re proud to be taking bold steps to reduce emissions, protect our natural environment, and support sustainable communities. From investing in renewable energy to enhancing green transport options, we’re committed to delivering real change on the ground.
“Together with our residents and partners, we’re building a resilient, low-carbon future for Waverley.”
To find out more about the council’s sustainability objectives and actions, visit discover how we are achieving our sustainability objectives.