Cheshire West and Chester
Climate Emergency Response Plan
The purpose of the Cheshire West and Chester Climate Emergency Response Plan 2025-2030
This is Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Climate Emergency Response Plan. It is designed to influence action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the borough, and to shape how the area adapts to the impacts of climate change that affect our communities.
It is designed to support the achievement of two key goals, that the borough achieves carbon neutrality by 2045, faster than the national 2050 target, and that the Council as an organisation achieves carbon neutrality in its own operations by 2030.
It contains a series of actions which set out how the Council will set out to achieve its goals, including both the direct actions that the Council will take within its services, and the areas where the Council will seek to work with residents, businesses, stakeholders and government to influence the wider state of the borough.
The audience for this plan is diverse; it is intended to be accessible to residents, to ensure the Council can be held to account for its climate commitments. It is intended to be of use to community groups and organisations to see how they can direct their efforts in a way that matches the borough’s strategic direction. It will be of use to businesses and planners proposing developments or retrofits which are in-line with the Council’s climate aspirations. The Plan will also be used by decision-makers within the Council, both political and administrative, to ensure that the Council maintains compliance with the vision and values that have shaped the plan.
What is Net Zero?
Net Zero means that greenhouse gas emissions in the borough are reduced as far as possible and those that remain (for example, from industrial and agricultural sectors) are then offset through carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere. This removal may occur using technology such as carbon capture and storage (CCS), or natural sequestration by rewilding or afforestation.
The three pillars of our response
Our progress to net zero
So far, the council has achieved an 77.1% reduction in emissions across its estate and operations since 2014-15. We now need to continue progressing against our goals to meet our 2030 net zero target.
Borough wide emissions
Emissions within west Cheshire have significantly decreased, falling from 4.3 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gases in 2019 to 3.2 million tons in 2022 following the declaration of a Climate Emergency. Industry remains the largest contributor, followed by transport, housing, and agriculture. Visit the Government’s website for a full breakdown of emissions for our area.
Energy
The electricity grid in Cheshire West is ageing and under pressure, and requires rapid renewable energy rollout to deliver more affordable energy. Major upgrades are urgently needed to support Net Zero goals, electrify transport and heating, and boost flexibility.
In the meantime, local generation and storage are key. A smart, integrated energy system is essential—combining renewables, hydrogen, energy efficiency, and new technologies. Heating must shift from fossil fuels to heat pumps and heat networks, backed by a skilled workforce to deliver the transition.
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Industry and Commercial
Industry and business drive Cheshire West’s economy but produce over a third of its emissions. With growing pressure from consumers, legislation, and markets, the shift to a low-carbon economy is accelerating.
The borough is a national leader in industrial decarbonisation, with strengths in science and tech, and major opportunities in hydrogen, carbon capture, and clean growth. The transition will also boost green jobs and innovation across the region.
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Transport is the second-largest and fastest-growing source of emissions in west Cheshire, with road travel—especially cars—driving over 90% of the total. Tackling this is key to reducing local emissions and improving air quality.
The Council’s focus is on investing in walking, cycling, and public transport, while also supporting the shift to electric and zero-emission vehicles. A fair and inclusive approach is essential, ensuring access and choice for all. The emerging Local Transport Plan will align with spatial planning and digital connectivity to reduce the need to travel and support greener, healthier, and more accessible transport options.
Transport:
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Housing:
Housing contributes 15% of Cheshire West’s emissions, making it a key focus for climate action. Retrofitting existing homes and building new Net Zero homes are essential but require investment and workforce upskilling. Energy-efficient homes not only cut emissions but also improve health and reduce fuel poverty.
The Council is working with partners to deliver retrofit programmes, support residents, and overcome challenges like heritage buildings. By 2045, the aim is for all homes to be significantly more efficient and cheaper to run.
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Agriculture is a major source of emissions in Cheshire West, contributing 448 ktCOâ‚‚e in 2022, largely due to the region’s strong dairy industry. The Council is tackling this through its Land Action Plan, promoting low-carbon farming, soil carbon management, and nature-based solutions like woodland and habitat creation.
Adaptation and resilience are also key, with strategies in place to manage climate risks such as flooding. While nature recovery is a priority, new commitments will align with the upcoming Local Nature Recovery Strategy. The Council continues to work with partners to balance food production, climate action, and biodiversity.
Land Use, Adaptation, Climate Repair
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Waste, Recycling and the Circular Economy:
Cheshire West and Chester Council is a high-performing authority for recycling, achieving a 59.1% rate in 2023/24. Since 2009, it has cut household waste and non-recyclable waste significantly, thanks to initiatives like the Recycle First service and a greener, more efficient fleet.
However, food waste remains a major challenge, with a third of black bin waste still recyclable. The Council is pushing for greater participation in food recycling ahead of the 2026 national rollout. Its Waste Strategy focuses on reducing waste, maximising recycling, and moving towards a circular economy, with reuse and community partnerships at its core.
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Next Steps
This report sets out the scale of the challenge faced in west Cheshire, the actions we plan to take and the performance indicators that will be used to track our progress.
The development of the plan follows an engagement exercise in 2024 and consultation in 2024/25, with many partners, organisations, residents and community groups providing feedback on the draft plan.
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We recognise that tackling the Climate Emergency requires collaboration with a wide range of partners, stakeholders and communities. This plan will be the guide for the work that will be delivered over the next five years as we strive to reach our net zero target.
The next steps for the development of the Climate Emergency Response Plan are:
Align the proposals to the Budget process and review in year resourcing reflecting Cabinet’s priorities for action.
Further develop the actions within the sectoral plans, prioritising the delivery of those that do not require additional resourcing and seeking to agree funding sources for those that require resource.
Engage with partners, stakeholders, businesses and residents.
We are interested in hearing your views and opinions, if you would like to get involved please send us a message using the button above.
