In September 2019, the council declared a climate emergency, later committing to a Net Zero target of 2041.
The Walsall Net Zero 2041 Strategy sets out the priorities and actions needed to achieve net zero into six themes. These are:
Energy: Focusing on reducing energy consumption, increasing efficiency, and transitioning to renewable energy sources.
Circular and Green Economy: Promoting sustainable production and consumption, reducing waste, and supporting green skills and business opportunities.
Homes, Workplaces, and Public Buildings: Improving energy efficiency in buildings, retrofitting existing buildings, and ensuring new buildings are net zero ready.
Transport and Travel: Reducing emissions from transport by promoting active travel, enhancing public transport, and supporting the transition to electric vehicles.
Natural Capital and Land Use: Protecting and enhancing green spaces, promoting biodiversity, and integrating natural capital into development and regeneration decision making.
Resilience and Adaptation: Preparing for the impacts of climate change by building resilient communities and infrastructure.
“ This strategy builds on the climate change pledges in our We Are Walsall 2040 Borough Plan.
“We have already undertaken work to reduce energy usage in our buildings and infrastructure. This has included the installation of renewable energy and heat pumps in public buildings, an extensive programme to upgrade our borough’s housing stock, and the conversion to streetlights to utilise LED lamps.
“Moving forward however, there is much work still to do. By working together deliver this strategy, we can make Walsall a leader in low carbon skills, innovation, and investment to strengthen our businesses and communities. “
Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing at Walsall Council
The Walsall Net Zero 2041 Strategy frames net zero as an economic opportunity, with growth predicted across construction and retrofit renewable energy and green manufacturing.
The strategy stresses the importance of working in partnership to deliver Net Zero objectives. As part of the draft strategy, plans to create a ‘Walsall Net Zero Partnership’ are also outlined. This partnership would aim to recruit key stakeholders (e.g. Network Rail, Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Environment Agency, local business, utility companies, education providers, social housing providers).