Climate and environment
Horsham District Council is committed to taking practical steps to tackle climate change.
- Our Corporate Plan 2019-23 prioritises our environmental actions as we continue to move to a low-carbon future.
- In June 2019, the Council confirmed its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and working towards the target of becoming carbon neutral.
- In November 2019, councillors approved a unique partnership between the Council and the Sussex Wildlife Trust.
On this page you'll find details of key projects dedicated to tackling climate change, and information about how the wider organisation is approaching environmental issues.
Key projects
We have three key projects up and running that are dedicated to creating a cared-for environment in Horsham District. More information on each project will be posted here as they progress.
A carbon-neutral organisation
The council has worked with a consultant to calculate its carbon footprint for 2018/19. The total emitted was approximately 18,000 tonnes from the council’s activities; such as energy used in our buildings and from transport.
The carbon baseline will be used to set a target for reducing our emissions along with an action plan to achieve these targets.
Next step: The action plan will be presented to Cabinet in the autumn.
A wilder Horsham District
The Council has agreed to work in partnership with the Sussex Wildlife Trust to enhance wildlife across the Horsham District and reverse the decline that has taken place over the last few decades. The aims of the five year partnership are to help wildlife thrive, create protected networks of land to allow habitats to expand, and to increase awareness of actions that communities can take to improve their local natural environment.
Community Climate Fund
The Community Climate Fund is grant funding available to local voluntary and community groups that share our vision of becoming a carbon neutral District.
The funding is to support projects that improve the physical environment in a way that also benefits the wider community.
Applications now open.
The wider organisation
Tackling green issues is part of every department here at the Council. Here's what other departments are getting involved in to prioritise the environment in their work.
Recycling
Our modern recycling and waste collection system has achieved a recycling rate of 53.5%; the highest in West Sussex. We aim to increase the recycling rate to 55% through expanding reuse and exploring new kerbside material collection schemes such as WEEE and textiles.
Electric charging points
Our Electric Vehicle Charging Point Strategy aims to ensure that by 2030 there is a comprehensive and cohesive network of electric charge points across the District to serve residents, visitors and businesses. The work will contribute to the national target of 70% of new vehicles being ultra-low emission by 2030.
Parks and open spaces
We have increased the biodiversity of our parks and green space areas and now manage several designated Local Wildlife Sites. Horsham District has the UK’s second largest Trust for Conservation Volunteers group.
Energy efficiency
We have improved the energy efficiency of our public buildings - incorporating LED lighting, underfloor heating and maximising ventilation.
Helping residents reduce their energy bills
We help residents to make their homes warmer and reduce energy bills by offering home energy saving visits to eligible households.
Planning Policy and the environment
Our new Local Plan will have stronger environmental standards than exist in the current plan. Throughout the plan there will be policies that seek to reduce carbon emissions from new development and policies that set out specific environmental requirements. Work on the Local Plan Review is currently underway.