Date published: 2026-11-09 | Category: Climate Emergency, Delivering for local residents, Ecological Emergency Action Plan, Focusing on prevention, Preparing for the Future, Tackling the climate and ecological emergency
Creating a greener, healthier and more resilient district is at the heart of a new Climate & Nature Strategy being considered by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet this week. For the first time, the proposed strategy takes a new, joined-up approach to cutting emissions, adapting to climate change and helping nature recover.
At its meeting on 12 November, Cabinet will be asked to approve the Climate and Nature Strategy and Action Plan for Bath and North East Somerset 2026-2030.
The strategy brings together the council’s work to tackle the climate and ecological emergencies and adapt to climate change, and has three main goals:
- reducing carbon emissions
- increasing nature
- increasing resilience to climate change.
It builds on the council’s 2019 Climate Emergency Strategy, its 2023 Ecological Emergency Action Plan and more recent work on climate adaptation and resilience and widens the focus to areas where joined-up action can make a bigger difference. Bringing climate and nature together in one plan recognises how closely they are linked and will help support healthier natural spaces, stronger communities and a future with lower carbon emissions.
It identifies nine areas for action: renewable energy; transport; homes and buildings; nature and wildlife; streets and green spaces; and water and rivers and for the first time, specific action on waste and resources, food and tourism and the visitor economy.
Also for the first time, adapting to the effects of a changing climate is a major part of the strategy. This includes plans to help protect people from extreme heat, with a network of cool public buildings and action to help vulnerable households keep their homes cooler. It also includes practical ways to make neighbourhoods better able to cope with extreme weather, including more street trees, rain gardens and drainage designed to reduce flooding.
Councillor Sarah Warren, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Bath and North East Somerset said: “This is about the practical action we can take to make Bath and North East Somerset a greener, healthier and more resilient place.
“We have made significant progress since declaring a climate emergency, but we know there is much more to do. We also need to respond to the changes in our climate that are already happening, while continuing to protect and restore our natural environment.
“If Cabinet approves the strategy, it will give us a clear plan for the next four years, bringing together action on carbon, nature and climate resilience and helping us focus our efforts where they can make the biggest difference for residents.”
Residents have helped shape the new strategy. In summer 2026, the council spoke to more than 200 people, including groups whose views on climate and nature have not always been heard. More than 800 people also took part in online surveys during 2025 and 2026. The feedback is reflected in the strategy and has also led to plans for a year-long climate and nature campaign to improve communication and involvement with local communities.
The campaign will kick off by focusing on home and energy during November, linking everyday concerns such as keeping warm, managing energy bills and improving home energy efficiency with practical advice and support.
It will feature local people, community organisations and partnerships and signpost residents to advice and support, through the Community Energy Network’s Energy at Home webpages. This includes information about Energy Champions, who help residents access energy advice and support.
The strategy keeps the target for the council and Bath and North East Somerset to reach net zero by 2030. It also sets new targets to cut scope 3 emissions, help nature recovery and prepare for the effects of climate change but states that reaching these goals will need action from the council, government, local organisations and people across the area. The Strategy recognises that partnerships, including the work of the Future Ambition Board (FAB) Climate and Nature Group, will be key to successfully delivering district-wide ambitions.
The Cabinet papers can be viewed online.
ENDS