Climate change strategy
We wanted to get your thoughts on plans to tackle climate change and reduce carbon emissions in Harlow.
In 2019, Harlow Council declared a climate emergency, which set out several climate change pledges. This was followed by an agreed target to hit net zero by 2040 and the development of a carbon reduction plan to reduce our own carbon emissions.
To build on these pledges, we developed a broader climate change strategy for the town as a whole. The strategy sets out how the council can achieve net zero through its own activities and how we can influence the wider community and local economy to deliver reductions in emissions for the town.
The draft strategy sets out 7 key objectives, to:
- Achieve net zero emissions from the council’s operational buildings, land, vehicles, and services, including those provided by service delivery partners.
- Achieve net zero emissions from all homes and the built environment within Harlow.
- Reduce consumption of resources, reduce waste and increase reuse and recycling in Harlow.
- Adopt good stewardship of the natural environment across the town to support both climate change adaptation and mitigation.
- Achieve a significant modal shift towards more sustainable means of transport.
- Promote reduction of emissions by businesses to net zero, supported by a successful green economy.
- Lead and encourage local communities, partners and stakeholders to reduce their emissions and contribute positively to meeting the challenges posed by climate change.
The document outlines short, medium and long term actions, projects and proposals that support these objectives. It also identifies difficult and complex issues that will affect some of these actions.
You were able to view the strategy in the documents section and give us your comments using our online form.
After receiving your feedback, we made changes to the draft strategy and published a final strategy which was adopted by Cabinet on 19 March 2025.
