Becoming a carbon neutral borough by 2045

While we have one ambitious target to be a carbon neutral council, we recognise that the operational carbon emissions of the council represent a tiny fraction of the carbon footprint of Cheshire East as a whole. Recognising the urgency of the climate emergency we took the decision in October 2021 to join with other councils to make the UK100 climate pledge. We will do everything we can as an authority to help the borough of Cheshire East be carbon neutral by 2045, five years sooner than the UK's target.

• Residential buildings: 23%
• Commercial buildings and facilities: 7%
• Institutional buildings and facilities: 3%
• Industrial buildings and facilities: 14%
• Fugitive emissions: 2%
• On-road transport: 33%
• Other transport: 1%
• Waste treatment and disposal: 1%
• Industrial processes: 4%
• Livestock: 11%
• Agriculture: 1%
• Land use: 0.3%

Becoming carbon neutral is an important collaborative journey between local government, local industries and you, our residents. The council has developed and approved a Wider Borough Carbon Action Plan 2025-2030 (PDF, 6.8MB).

This plan sets out how we are going to begin the journey to 2045, the areas of focus and the principles that will underpin council interventions. We will work on delivering the actions within the plan and look for opportunities to work with partners and to bring in funding to turn actions into change.

Our wider borough action plan is split into the sectors of domestic buildings, non-domestic buildings, transport, agriculture and land use, waste and energy supply. 

We aim to simplify key initiatives which can be taken with a resident focus within the areas of

• travel
• home / energy
• waste
• nature

Why we need to become carbon neutral

Achieving carbon neutrality is an important step in combating climate change. Carbon emissions are the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which are the main driver of climate change. By reducing carbon emissions within the local area, we contribute to global efforts to create a more sustainable future for both our environment and future generations. 

Cheshire East warming stripes

Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy interactive tool to see what measures are needed to be carbon neutral

How you can help

We can all act now and take steps for positive environmental action – and some of them are easier than you might think.

The WWF My Footprint calculator is a quick and easy way to understand your own carbon footprint – and suggests ways you can live life with the planet in mind.

Download the My Footprint app and track your progress