Embedding climate action in a local authority

Doncaster Council declared a climate and biodiversity emergency in September 2019. In response, the council has since made key strategic and structural changes to enable better decision-making and real impact through action.

A new sustainability unit was formed in September 2021 to drive greater ambition and coordination of services and projects delivering environment and sustainability outcomes. This unit is tasked with implementing the council’s Environment and Sustainability Strategy 2020-2030.

Climate change is now key to the council’s strategic and operational risk register, and the impact on climate is recorded on all key decisions. Climate action is included in all service plans, and climate targets were embedded in all council strategies and policies. And carbon literacy training is now compulsory for staff.

Climate change has become a top priority for the mayor of Doncaster, Doncaster Council’s chief executive, and the Team Doncaster executive, reflected by the £5 million environment and sustainability fund to help initiate and extend key carbon reduction projects, and the delivery of more than £45 million of related capital projects.