How we're tackling the impact of climate change in Rushmoor.

We want to have a positive impact for future generations on Aldershot and Farnborough’s environment. We will do this by working with businesses, communities and organisations. Through direct action and by encouraging and supporting others, we will address the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change.

We declared a climate emergency in Rushmoor in 2019, with the full support of all councillors. Our councillors pledged to make the council carbon neutral. They also pledged to make Aldershot and Farnborough greener and more sustainable. The Deputy Leader of the Council is the Cabinet lead for climate change.

Our Climate Change Strategy 2025 to 2028 sets out how we plan to become carbon neutral and work on our action plan. Our strategy shows the important role we have in tackling climate as a leader, facilitator, enabler and deliverer of services to Aldershot and Farnborough and beyond.

Actions we are taking

We have agreed the following set of actions to help us be carbon neutral by 2030 and to make Aldershot and Farnborough more sustainable in our Climate Change Action Plan 2025-2028 :

  1. Consider opportunities arising to reduce gas consumption and increase renewable energy generation, including continued commitment to review the feasibility of transitioning electricity across the council’s sites to 100% renewable tariffs
  2. To continue to explore options for switching the council’s remaining vehicles to lower carbon alternatives, as well as exploring opportunities to work with contractors on the council’s broader fleet. To continue to support the improvement of access to electric vehicle charging facilities across the borough
  3. To review processes for the council’s capital programme so that environmental impacts are incorporated into business case development and whole life cycle carbon assessments are undertaken. To develop and introduce Climate Change Impact Assessments (CCIA) for new council projects and proposals
  4. Identify and reduce the use of single use plastics across all council buildings and events
  5. To develop the council’s offsetting approach with a view to ensuring that any offsetting undertaken by the council has a local impact
  6. To continue to engage young people on climate change. This includes the ongoing Climate Trackers Scheme in partnership with Wonderseekers (Winchester Science Centre), as well as introducing a Youth Climate Ambassadors Group to increase the offering for young people in the borough
  7. To use the council’s communications channels (including through member engagement) to promote opportunities for residents and local businesses to reduce their own carbon footprint, including promoting schemes to improve the energy efficiency of their home or business
  8. Continue to engage with the wider community on climate change, to allow residents to find out more of how they can reduce their negative environmental impact. This includes the annual Eco Fair, development of the Rushmoor Climate Community Group and community initiatives
  9. To encourage and promote active travel, by removing barriers and promoting initiatives, which will also lead to improved health and wellbeing
  10. To review, update and publish the council’s carbon footprint on an annual basis, publish an annual report detailing all that the council has achieved in relation to its climate action plan and associated strategies (e.g. Green Infrastructure Plan). To publish the council’s Climate Action Scorecard, assessed by Climate Emergency UK, with commentary to provide context

We do not aim to summarise all the our activities in this plan that support the climate change and biodiversity agenda, as many of these are business as usual, following changes made in recent years. We will include all new activity in an annual report. 

We have developed this plan in an evidence-based way. We have sought independent advice on setting targets focused on carbon neutrality. As well as this, we got feedback from the Rushmoor Climate Community Group about our climate change policy and plans. This advice and feedback informed the targets in the action plan. 

Annual Reports

Our Annual Report sets out the progress against the action plan. It is also a summary of work from related strategies and other climate change work that happens throughout the year.

Climate Action Scorecards

Climate Emergency UK rate councils on their actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. They produce Climate Action Scorecards for all councils in the UK. 

Our scorecard increased by 10% between the 2023 and 2025. Most district councils (including Rushmoor) will not be reassessed for 2027, due to Local Government Reorganisation. 

As part of our action plan, we have decided to provide additional information for each scorecard question. This is to give more context to our results and the work being carried out locally.

Working with Hampshire County Council

Hampshire County Council has its own climate change action plan that covers the whole of Hampshire. It has the aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2050 and to prepare to be resilient to the impacts of a possible 2oC temperature rise.

We are also working with the county council on climate change initiatives.

 

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