Cambridge
Climate Action Plan

Nationally, the UK has a legally binding target to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050. Many local councils have more ambitious targets. There are nearly 400 principal councils across the country: the majority have a net-zero target of 2030. Further information from the Council.

Local net-zero target date

2030

Plan published

March 2021

Plan scope

Plan covers entire local area

Climate emergency declared

February 2019

Working together

We use data on Climate Action Plans from data.climateemergency.uk

If you have more recent Climate Action Plan information for this area, please contact mySociety at [email protected]

CO2 emissions

It's hard to visualise CO2 emissions. The data talks about 'tonnes of CO2' - but what does a tonne of gas look like? Well, imagine a typical large hot air balloon (almost 3,000 cubic metres in volume). One tonne of CO2 would fill one of these hot air balloons.

Additional local carbon emissions

Carbon emissions embedded in the imported goods we consume locally are typically not counted. However, these goods are produced and then transported here because of our consumer demands. Imported emissions are so big they should not be hidden*.

* Note: Imported emissions are estimated based on the Total UK Goods & Services Greenhouse Gases imported emissions (Defra UK's Carbon Footprint 2016: 353mt CO2 eq) pro-rated based on Local Authority population size and assumed equal per capita consumption of imported goods and services across all Local Authorities.

CO2 emissions in total

436,547 tonnes

People in the local area

125,063

CO2 per person per year

3.5 tonnes

Additional local carbon emissions

670,182 tonnes

Source: BEIS Local Authority territorial CO2 emissions within the scope of influence of Local Authorities (2020).

Local carbon emissions by sector

In getting to net zero as quickly as possible, we need to look at how we do things differently in every sector.

(000t)

2018
2019
2020

High-impact, low-carbon initiatives

Total published on Carbon Copy across the UK: 1044 See all Initiatives

There are some amazing collaborations between local councils, communities and companies. Some examples in/around Cambridge:

Cambridge Marketing College  

Educating marketing professionals about sustainability while reducing our carbon footprint.

Cambridge
  • Carbon emissions
  • Health & wellbeing
  • Waste
  • Circular Economy

Cambridge Startup Help

Using the power of marketing to help green businesses reach a wider audience.

Cambridge
  • Carbon emissions
  • Health & wellbeing
  • Tech & Innovation
  • Circular Economy

Cambridgeshire Schools Energy Efficiency Programme

Helping Cambridgeshire schools save money on their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprints.

Cambridge
  • Carbon emissions
  • Excessive consumption
  • Tech & Innovation
  • Energy
  • Built Environment

ZEBRA Cambridge

Reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality across Cambridge.

Cambridge
  • Air pollution
  • Carbon emissions
  • Health & wellbeing
  • Transport

Cambridge Open Eco Homes

Inspiring householders to make big carbon cuts in home energy.

Cambridge
  • Carbon emissions
  • Flooding & drought
  • Health & wellbeing
  • Built Environment
  • Energy

Cambridge Moss Cow

Highlighting the importance of plants in urban environments for reducing pollution and absorbing CO2

Cambridge
  • Air pollution
  • Carbon emissions
  • Health & wellbeing
  • Biodiversity & Nature
  • Land Use, Food & Agriculture
  • Transport

Starpath

Creating zero-energy, light-responsive pathways.

Cambridge
  • Carbon emissions
  • Tech & Innovation
  • Energy
  • Transport

Heating Swaffham Prior

Removing reliance on oil heating to support a sustainable future and end fuel poverty.

East Cambridgeshire
  • Carbon emissions
  • Greater fairness
  • Tech & Innovation
  • Energy
  • Built Environment