Environment, Planning - Climate Change

On this webpage you can find information about what climate change is, our commitment to tackling climate change and how you play your part.

Cumbria County Council has a long history of working to reduce carbon emissions, we published our first Carbon Reduction Plan in 2009. This led to the development of the county's first Climate Change Strategy in 2012. The council also led the production of the Cumbria Joint Public Health Strategy in 2019 which for the first time made a commitment to action on climate change.

The council is now working towards the international, national and regional aspiration to achieve a low/net zero carbon economy by 2050 and is embedding the impacts of climate change in all council strategies.

Cumbria Climate Change Working Group

The council chairs the Cumbria Climate Change Working Group (CCWG) that brings together partners across the public, private and third sectors. The CCWG reports into the Cumbria Chief Executives Group and the Cumbria Leaders Board. Climate change is very high on the agenda. 

The CCWG commissioned The Cumbria Carbon Baseline Report, an independent report drafted in February 2020 setting out Cumbria's baseline carbon footprint.

Carbon Management Strategy 2022

Cumbria County Council's Cabinet agreed the Council's 2022 Carbon Management Strategy in September 2022.

The Strategy sets out the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the Council's operations and the services it delivers. Cumbria County Council is one of only a small number of local authorities in the country to undertake such an extensive piece of work, measuring not only direct emissions but also indirect emissions for the whole council.

The report identified buildings, transport, and supply chain as making up the main sources of emissions. To address these core areas of emissions, four delivery strategies are being developed: buildings, transport, supply chain, and residual emissions. Measures identified to mitigate these emissions include building improvements, energy reduction, engagement with suppliers, and investment in renewable energy.


Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership

The Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership is working towards the shared aim of making Cumbria the first carbon neutral county in the UK, by 2037. It's an ambitious and inspiring challenge that will touch on many aspects of life in Cumbria to bring down the county's greenhouse gas emissions to net zero.

The Partnership, jointly chaired by Cumbria County Council and CAfS, brings together 80 organisations spanning the public, private and third sectors, with the aim of cutting greenhouse gas emissions - the root cause of the climate emergency. Members include community groups, local authorities (district and county councils), the NHS, police, national parks, businesses and the farming community, among others.

The Partnership recently successfully bid for £2.5 million of National Lottery funding to cut carbon emissions in the county. For more information visit the Cumbria Action for Sustainability website.

What have we done so far?

The council has achieved a number of CO2 reducing measures in the following areas:

Transport

The council has invested in a fleet of electric pool cars and charging points, to help reduce the CO2 emissions when travelling across the county. Digital improvements with ICT equipment have also helped to reduce the need to travel to and between offices for meetings.

The council has also invested in charging infrastructure, installing a total of 30 new electric vehicle charging points located at five Council-owned sites in the county. This is in addition to a number of charging points already provided by Cumbria County Council that are available for public use. 

To encourage cycling and walking, the council has established a Cycling and Walking Programme to identify, develop and secure funding to deliver infrastructure improvements. The development of Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) is a key part of this and these are currently being developed in Barrow-in-Furness, Carlisle, Kendal, Workington, Whitehaven and Penrith.

Highways

Since 2014, the council has invested £12.9m in its LED Street Lighting replacement and improvement programme, replacing over 45,000 street lights with more efficient and cost-effective LED technology. As a result, the programme has enabled the council to reduce the consumption of energy through the network by approx. 60% each year, reduce its annual lighting energy bill by over £1m and save more than 9,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.

As part of this programme, the Council believes it will be the first local authority in the UK to use a newly developed and adaptive LED street lantern which is Dark Sky friendly.

The Council was delighted to be part of a video 'Protecting Cumbria's dark skies' marking International Dark Sky Week 22-30 April 2022. Watch the video on YouTube.

The video highlights the exciting work undertaken by the Council's Lighting Team in collaboration with supplier Thorn Lighting and partner organisations such as Friends of the Lake District as part of a project to help protect Cumbria's dark skies.

The council has also recently begun an exciting chapter in the Live Labs project by working with the global energy company Shell to investigate the sustainability and suitability of using additives derived from waste plastics as part of their highways surfacing programme to reduce carbon footprint and provide a more resilient road network.

Buildings

After reviewing the current corporate estate we have taken the steps to create a new Carbon Management Strategy 2020 to 2025 that will cover:

  • Baseline for carbon emissions
  • Review the current policy framework
  • Identify the key drivers for change
  • Identify phased carbon reduction targets based on specific resource and investment scenarios

Nature and green space

Environment Fund

In February 2022, Cumbria County Council allocated a further £1.2m of funding for environmental enhancements to Cumbria's highways for 2022/23. This follows an initial £1.2m of funding approved in February 2021 for a range of schemes in all corners of the county.

This is the second consecutive year that each of Cumbria's six Local Committees will be asked to work with district, town and parish councils to make full use of extra funding for Environment Fund schemes, drawing up a list of local projects and identifying match funding where possible.

The Environment Fund can be used for:

  • Verge Maintenance and Biodiversity Improvements
  • Tree Maintenance and Replacement
  • Footpath Improvements

Local Authority Treescapes Fund (LATF)

In September 2021, Cumbria County Council secured £228,000 of funding following a successful application to the Forestry Commission's Local Authority Treescapes Fund (LATF).

The LATF is part of the Government's Nature for Climate Fund and is aimed at establishing more trees in non-woodland settings such as in riverbanks, hedgerows, parklands, urban areas, beside roads and footpaths, in copses and shelterbelts, including neglected, disused and vacant community spaces.

Half of the funding secured will be match-funded by the council's Environment Fund.

Barrow Local Committee will now be working with its communities and councils at a local level to make full use of the funding.

Planting for Pollinators Project

Cumbria County Council, as part of a partnership between the Cumbria Local Nature Partnership, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, the Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre and local communities, have received a grant of £699,500 for the Planting for Pollinators project. The funding comes as part of the Government's Green Recovery Challenge Fund which aims to boost green jobs and nature recovery.

The partnership will work to increase populations of bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects by restoring 158 hectares - that's around the size of 68 football pitches - of nectar and pollen-rich habitats. The funds will help grow wild flowers locally, and Cumbria's verges, burial grounds, farms and cycle routes are among the many green spaces that will be restored.

Work will take place along three key 'B-Lines' - these are a UK-wide network of key connecting pathways for pollinating insects, running through our towns and countryside. In Cumbria the B-lines are on the coast, from Calder Bridge in the south, running north and west past Carlisle to Longtown; from east to west, running along the A66 trunk road from Penrith to Workington, and from north to south, from Penrith to the Solway.

For more information on this exciting project, visit Cumbria Wildlife Trust - Helping pollinators thrive

Roadside verges

Cumbria County Council recognises roadside verges as a valuable resource for wildlife and, as such, that they need care and attention. As well as being a wildlife refuge, they are also greatly admired by locals and visitors, and are easily accessible to all.

There are nearly 11,000km (nearly 7,000miles) of roadside verges in Cumbria, ranging from sea level in the west to over 600m (2,000ft) in the east, with nearly 500 species of wildflower recorded.

Every verge managed by Cumbria County Council is maintained under a cutting programme. The timing of this cut is planned to help protect the wildflowers on the verge. Some verges are cut early in the year, some in July, August or September. This allows the flowers to flower and set seed, whilst also maintaining safety.

Some stretches of verge that support a very good range of species or contain rare plants have been identified by the Council as special verges. Special care is given to protect and monitor their condition. Around 6% of the total length of country road verges in Cumbria are special verges, amounting to over 400 miles and covering approximately 500 acres.

Roadside verges in Cumbria (PDF 4.7MB).

The Queen's Green Canopy Project

The Queen's Green Canopy Project (QGC) is a new initiative that encourages people across the UK to plant trees to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

Cumbria is actively supporting this new initiative which was launched in May 2021. The project will see thousands of new trees planted, as well supporting a range of activities that will see ancient woodlands and forests protected for the future.

On behalf of the HM Lord-Lieutenant for Cumbria, the Council will contact a range of organisations including schools, community groups and local/parish councils to help promote the new project and encourage the people of Cumbria to become involved.

We can all play a part in reducing our impact on the world - small changes can make a big difference.

Your home

Around 22% of the UK's carbon emissions come from our home. Reduce your energy bills, enjoy a warmer home and cut your carbon footprint by:

Your lifestyle

Everything has a carbon footprint - from the food we eat to the clothes we buy. That means all of the emissions added up from the processes involved with making and shipping the final product to you or the shop where you bought it from. Check your carbon footprint with this easy calculator.

Following the three 'R's: reduce, reuse, recycle, is a good way we can all try to minimise our impact on the environment.

Reduce - the amount of the earth's resources that you use

Set a new trend:

Did you know that the fashion industry is responsible for more carbon emissions than aeroplanes?

Say no to single-use plastic:

  • Try a refillable water bottle - lots of cafes, shops and businesses offer free tap water on request
  • Take reusable bags shopping - try keeping a couple of bags by the front door so you don't forget
  • Cut down on plastic bottles - shampoo bars and bar soaps are a great alternative

Love food, hate waste:

Reuse - don't just throw it away, could it be used for something else?

  • Learn how to extend the life of your clothes by repairing and upcycling them
  • There are lots of creative ways to re-use furniture, electrical items and more by learning to upcycle.

Recycle - could the materials be used to make something new?

  • There are over 350 recycle points all over the county. These are the smaller recycle bank areas often conveniently found at places like your local supermarket or leisure centre. These are managed by your local district or borough council.

Travel and transport

Road transport is one of the biggest contributors to our carbon emissions in the UK and creates problems with local air pollution.

Air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK every year. But what you might not know is that air pollution is 10 times worse inside your car. 

Changing the way you travel to incorporate more walking, cycling and public transport, is a great way to reduce your impact on the environment, improve your health and fitness, all while saving some money. 

If you are travelling by car, don't idle your engine. Idling is a significant contributor to local air pollution but switching your engine off when stationary, for example - when waiting at traffic lights, can help.

If you are looking to change your car, consider an electric vehicle. The Council is working with partner organisations to improve the electric vehicle charging infrastructure around the county. 

Climate Change is a highly important matter across Cumbria many of our partners are showing their commitment to help reduce the impact on our county.

Climate change glossary

We've pulled together a handy guide to explain some of the words and phrases you might hear being used in climate change discussions.


A

Air pollution

Degradation of air quality with negative effects on human health or the natural or built environment due to the introduction, by natural processes or human activity, into the atmosphere of substances (gases, aerosols) which have a direct (primary pollutants) or indirect (secondary pollutants) harmful effect.

Active travel

Making journeys by physically active means such as walking or cycling. Read more about active travel 

Adaptation

Action that helps cope with the effects of climate change and seeks to lower the risks posed by the consequences of climatic changes. Examples include the construction of barriers to protect against rising sea or river levels or switching to growing crops that can survive high temperatures and drought.

Atmosphere

The gaseous envelope surrounding the earth, divided into five layers - the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. The dry atmosphere consists almost entirely of nitrogen (78.1%) and oxygen (20.9%), together with a number of trace gases, such as argon (0.93 %), helium and radiatively active greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide (CO2) (0.04%) and ozone (O3).


B

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you'll find in one area - the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms work together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life.


C

Carbon footprint

A carbon footprint measures the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by a person, organisation, event or product. Calculate your carbon footprint

Carbon literacy

Carbon literacy is relevant climate change learning that leads to positivity and action towards reducing carbon emissions.

Carbon Management Strategy

A strategy set out by the Council on how they will respond to the international, national and regional aspiration to achieve a low/net zero carbon economy by 2050. Read more at: www.cumbria.gov.uk/climatechange. 

Carbon offsetting

A way of compensating for emissions of CO2 by participating in, or funding, efforts to take CO2 out of the atmosphere. Offsetting often involves paying someone else to save emissions equivalent to those produced by your activity.

Carbon sequestration

The process of removing carbon from the atmosphere and depositing it in a reservoir such as grasslands and forests.

Climate change

The long-term shift or alteration of temperature and weather patterns. Some fluctuation in climate patterns occur naturally but a significant change in weather patterns and acceleration in global temperature rise is apparent from the mid to late 20th century onwards and is attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide caused by human activity.

Climate positive

Taking further steps to benefit the environment by saving more greenhouse gas emissions than you produce.

Community Forest

England's Community Forests are located in and around our largest towns and cities. Collectively, the work of the Forests has formed the largest environmental regeneration initiative in England.

Cumbria's Coastal Community Forest has become one of now thirteen Forests in England and one of three announced this year.

The Forest will stretch across different parts of the western coast of the county. It will be a mix of community woodland, private woodland, on street trees, urban woodland, wooded habitat corridors and hedgerows.

COP26

The 2021 United Nations climate change conference which brought together almost every country on earth for a global climate summit. COP stands for 'Conference of the Parties'. 2021 marked the 26th annual summit - giving it the name COP26. With the UK as President, COP26 took place in Glasgow.


D

Decarbonisation

The process by which countries, individuals or other entities aim to achieve zero fossil carbon existence. Typically refers to a reduction of the carbon emissions associated with electricity, industry and transport.

Deforestation

The purposeful clearing of forested land to make way for agriculture and animal grazing, and to obtain wood for fuel, manufacturing and construction.


E

Electric Vehicle (EV)

A mode of transport such as a car or van which runs on electricity some or all of the time. Where a vehicle traditionally has a petrol or diesel engine, this is replaced or supplemented by rechargeable battery powered electric motors. Find out more at: www.cumbria.gov.uk/electricvehicles. 

Emissions

Substances released into the air and measured by their concentrations, or parts per million, in the atmosphere.


F

Fossil fuels

Carbon-based fuels from fossil hydrocarbon deposits, including coal, oil, and natural gas.


G

Glasgow Pact

An agreement reached at COP26 in 2021. The pact is the first climate agreement to explicitly plan to reduce coal usage. The deal also presses for more urgent emission cuts and promises more money for developing countries - to help them adapt to climate impacts.

Greenhouse gases (GHGs)

The atmospheric gases responsible for causing global warming and climate change. The major GHGs are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) and ozone (O3). Less prevalent but very powerful greenhouse gases are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). These natural and industrial gases trap heat from the earth and warm the surface.


I

IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)

Established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization and the UN Environment Programme, the IPCC surveys world-wide scientific and technical literature and publishes assessment reports that are widely recognized as the most credible existing sources of information on climate change.


K

Kyoto Protocol

An international agreement standing on its own, and requiring separate ratification by governments, but linked to the UNFCCC. The Kyoto Protocol, among other things, sets binding targets for the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions by industrialised countries. 


L

Land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF)

A greenhouse gas inventory sector that covers emissions and removals of greenhouse gases resulting from direct human-induced land use, land-use change and forestry activities.

Local Nature Recovery Strategy

A strategy to restore and link up habitats so that species can thrive, and agree the best places to help nature recover, plant trees and woodland, restore peatland, mitigate flood and fire risk, and create green spaces for local people to enjoy. Find out more about the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.


M

Mitigation (of climate change)

A human intervention to take action in reducing emissions or enhancing the sinks of greenhouse gases.


N

Net zero

The balance between the amount of carbon emissions produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. We reach net zero when the amount we add is no more than the amount taken away. 


P

Paris Agreement

An agreement adopted in December 2015 at COP21 in Paris, France. The agreement as of May 2018 had 195 Signatories and was ratified by 177 Parties. One of the goals of the Paris Agreement is: 'Holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels', recognising that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change. Additionally, the Agreement aims to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change.


Q

Queen's Green Canopy Project (QGC)

A unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people from across the United Kingdom to "Plant a Tree for the Jubilee". Find out more about the Queen's Green Canopy Project


R

Reforestation

Replanting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use.

Renewable energy

Energy created from sources that can be replenished in a short period of time. The five renewable sources used most often are: biomass (such as wood and biogas), the movement of water, geothermal (heat from within the earth), wind, and solar.


Z

Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership (ZCCP)

The Partnership is working towards the shared aim of making Cumbria the first carbon neutral county in the UK, by 2037. It's an ambitious and inspiring challenge that will touch on many aspects of life in Cumbria to bring down the county's greenhouse gas emissions to net zero.

The Partnership, jointly chaired by Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS), brings together nearly 80 organisations spanning the public, private and third sectors, with the aim of cutting greenhouse gas emissions - the root cause of the climate emergency. Members include community groups, local authorities (district and county councils), the NHS, police, national parks, businesses and the farming community, among others. 

Zero Carbon

No carbon emissions are produced by a product or service.

If you have any questions about climate change in Cumbria you can contact us: ClimateAction@cumbria.gov.uk.