Newcastle upon Tyne
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

September 2020

Plan scope

Plan covers entire local area

Climate emergency declared

April 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

1,068,686 tonnes

People in the local area

306,824

CO2 per person per year

3.5 tonnes

Additional local carbon emissions

1,579,340 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 Newcastle upon Tyne:

Northumbria University Energy Futures Programme

Aiming for net-zero with the launch of forward-thinking Energy Futures to tackle climate change.

Gateshead
  • Air pollution
  • Biodiversity loss
  • Carbon emissions
  • Energy
  • Biodiversity & Nature
  • Built Environment

NEE OneVoice

Working collaboratively to ensure we deliver on decarbonising the region’s­ built environment.

County Durham
  • Carbon emissions
  • Tech & Innovation
  • Built Environment
  • Circular Economy
  • Energy

WBD EnviroNovember

Implementing Womble Bond Dickinson's EnviroNovember calendar to achieve net zero emissions by 2030.

Bristol
  • Carbon emissions
  • Excessive consumption
  • Waste
  • Energy
  • Built Environment
  • Transport

Bryce Energy Services

Helping businesses plan and implement greater energy efficiency.

Newcastle upon Tyne
  • Carbon emissions
  • Excessive consumption
  • Tech & Innovation
  • Energy

The Algorithm People

Delivering fleet optimisation to generate savings and efficiencies.

Newcastle upon Tyne
  • Air pollution
  • Carbon emissions
  • Tech & Innovation
  • Energy
  • Transport

Space Architects

Hitting carbon reduction targets, saving money and demonstrating commitment.

Newcastle upon Tyne
  • Carbon emissions
  • Excessive consumption
  • Health & wellbeing
  • Energy

Space Group

Reducing our business's carbon footprint.

Newcastle upon Tyne
  • Air pollution
  • Carbon emissions
  • Tech & Innovation
  • Energy
  • Built Environment
  • Transport

Mott MacDonald

Working together to achieve carbon neutral status.

County Durham
  • Air pollution
  • Carbon emissions
  • Tech & Innovation
  • Energy
  • Built Environment
  • Transport

Energi Coast Skills Group

Building a skilled workforce for the offshore wind industry in North East England.

County Durham
  • Carbon emissions
  • Greater fairness
  • Energy

Newcastle Net Zero Schools

Delivering a decarbonised and efficient school estate across Newcastle.

Newcastle upon Tyne
  • Air pollution
  • Carbon emissions
  • Tech & Innovation
  • Energy
  • Built Environment
  • Finance

Equans

Reducing carbon with Alex Falconer from Equans on the Zero Carbon Tour.

Newcastle upon Tyne
  • Carbon emissions
  • Health & wellbeing
  • Tech & Innovation
  • Energy
  • Built Environment

North East LEP

Reducing carbon with Lucy Winskell from North East LEP on the Zero Carbon Tour.

Newcastle upon Tyne
  • Carbon emissions
  • Health & wellbeing
  • Circular Economy

Connected Energy

Reducing carbon with Matthew Lumsden on the Zero Carbon Tour.

Newcastle upon Tyne
  • Carbon emissions
  • Tech & Innovation
  • Waste
  • Energy
  • Circular Economy
  • Transport

Chestnut Natural Capital

Eliminating single-use plastics in forestry by replacing them with a biodegradable alternative.

County Durham
  • Air pollution
  • Biodiversity loss
  • Excessive consumption
  • Biodiversity & Nature
  • Land Use, Food & Agriculture

VOLTRA

Flipping the switch on game-changing electric vehicles in the North East.

Gateshead
  • Air pollution
  • Carbon emissions
  • Tech & Innovation
  • Transport
  • Energy

SmartCarbon Calculator

Measuring and reducing the carbon footprint of Newcastle hospitals.

Newcastle upon Tyne
  • Carbon emissions
  • Energy

Recyke y'bike

Saving unwanted bikes from landfill by working with volunteers to refurbish them.

Newcastle upon Tyne
  • Air pollution
  • Health & wellbeing
  • Waste
  • Circular Economy
  • Transport