Climate Change
Action Plan
2024-2026

• Recruited skilled team to deliver climate change action plan • Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions • The Council's planning system now includes climate change throughout the local plan • Collaborated with the third sector to deliver climate change initiatives • Net zero has been embedded within the new North East Combined Authority (NECA) as a cross-cutting priority • Received dedicated support for the Climate change team from the North of Tyne Combined Authority • Collaborated with the North of Tyne and other regional Local Authorities to secure almost £2m for two regional services for home energy advice in the North East • Supported the Borderlands energy masterplan, which is due to begin delivery in 2024

• Created online learning for Council staff, with a 90.99% completion rate • Delivered Carbon Literacy training to 123 Council employees, and 2 elected members • Developed and distributed Town and Parish Council Climate Change Tool Kit • Attended over 50 Town and Parish Council meetings • Issued 77 press releases (2022-2023) relating to the Council's climate change and environment initiatives • Distributed monthly climate change newsletter to 6969 subscribers • Produced social media posts that generated 180,000 engagements (2022-2023) • Co-developed Community leaders Carbon Literacy Toolkit • Given out 51,691 free tree saplings as part of the Council's annual free tree scheme • Awarded £105k of funding to community groups as part Northumberland Climate and Environment fund • Developed a local resource pack for Northumberland schools in partnership with the Ministry of Eco Education • The Northumberland Schools Sustainability Network (NSSN) is now made up of 28 schools • Hosted the ‘Climate Change Youth Voice Event’ at County Hall in December 2023 • As part of the Northumberland Tree Warden Scheme, 23 Tree Wardens have been recruited

• Secured funding for six domestic energy projects • Established Warmer Homes team – creating 14 highly skilled green sector jobs • Sourced feasibility studies for low carbon district heat networks in eight towns • Developed procurement strategy for heat network delivery partner • Secured funding for 15 heat decarbonisation plans for Council buildings • Secured funding to install heat pumps in 6 Council buildings • Supported the building of solar car port at county hall • Developed and adopted an electric vehicle charging strategy • Collaborated with Council teams to secure funding to purchase and install 155 individual EV charge points across the county • Supported the procurement of 42 electric vans and 3 electric cars, which are now operational in the Council's fleet • Delivered a low-carbon synthetic fuel pilot project in two Council refuse collection vehicles • Developed The Northumberland Line, which is nearing completion, helping to reduce congestion and improve air quality on key corridors by moving people away from car travel and onto public transport​ • Secured active travel capability funding for delivery bikes for school and community use • Developed Twelve Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans. Identifying key cycling and walking corridors in Northumberland • Started the capital delivery stage of cycling and walking schemes in Ashington, Ponteland, Blyth, Bedlington, Hexham and Corbridge • Secured grant funding for the Bus Service Improvement Plan which has improved frequency of bus services and supported a new rural service and low-fares as part of the national £2 fare cap

• Secured funding for a pilot project working with the farming community to identify ways of decarbonisation agricultire and support access to sustainability funding • Led the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) ()pilot which is now being developmed for the North of Tyne area • The Great Northumberland Forest project has led to 932 hectares of new woodland creation and 2.9 million individual trees or hedgerow trees being planted since 2019 • Joined the Northumberland Peat Partnership and supported the delivery of detailed surveys of vulnerable upland peat • Supported trials for new kerbside glass and food waste collection • Co-delivered a pilot project for food and garden waste from rural domestic properties • Supported establishment of vape collection bins at household waste recovery centres