Climate and Ecological Emergency

Working towards a climate resilient and nature-rich Somerset

We are committed to tackling climate change and are working towards a carbon-neutral Somerset by 2030. But we cannot do it alone. We need everyone in Somerset to do their bit. Find out what you can do to help protect Somerset against the effects of climate change, at home, at school, at work and more.

Let’s build a climate-resilient Somerset together.

Popular pages

What you can do to help

Find ways that you can get involved in helping with the climate emergency

Current climate projects

Take a look at what we are working on and have your say

More about the Climate Emergency

Our current climate work

Find out about the work that is currently taking place to tackle the climate emergency

Policies and strategies

Our climate and ecological strategies detail how we plan to tackle the climate emergency in Somerset.

Infrastructure

Includes information about how we are working to reduce residential home emissions, as well as those created by transport and energy production.

Pages in Our current climate work

Climate scrutiny and executives

We have a monthly Climate Scrutiny Board that discusses work related to our Climate and Ecological Emergency

Current climate projects

Take a look at what we are working on and have your say

Future climate workshops

Following the Summit there will be several workshops held across Somerset

Carbon reduction grants for business scheme case studies

Check out some of our success stories so far

Climate partners and communication

Before Somerset Council was formed all the Somerset councils had either declared or recognised a Climate and Ecological Emergency

Pages in Policies and strategies

Our climate strategies

View our climate and ecological emergency strategies - split into nine themes

Somerset’s joint Climate Emergency Strategy

Somerset’s joint Climate Emergency Strategy was published by Somerset County Council in November 2020

Somerset’s Climate Emergency Strategy

Somerset’s Climate Emergency Strategy was developed jointly by the five Somerset local authorities, sector experts and external partners

Somerset’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy

Somerset Local Nature Recovery Strategy will set local priorities and identify opportunities for co-ordinated action to help nature thrive

Somerset Tree Strategy

A wide range of stakeholders have come together to develop the Somerset Tree Strategy 2023 to 2033

Previous climate plans and strategies

View our climate and ecological emergency strategies - split into nine themes

Pages in Infrastructure

Built Environment

Emissions from residential homes accounts for 15% of our county’s carbon footprint. Decreasing our emissions from our home has so many benefits.

Business, Industry and Supply Chain

We are asking everyone who runs a business in Somerset to consider ways in which their business can help tackle climate change

Energy

Renewable energy has and will continue to play a key role in the decarbonisation of Somerset and the power we use

Transport

Emissions from transport make up the biggest part of Somerset’s carbon footprint at 28%

Waste and Resources

Includes information on the waste hierarchy and single use plastics

Natural environment

Find out more about how we are looking at water, trees, grasslands and more.

Our work so far

See the great work that was done by the five former District Councils that have come together to form Somerset Council

Pages in Natural environment

Grasslands

Grasslands are globally important because they are a natural carbon sink and an important ecological habitat and food source

Food and Farming

We recognise there are competing demands for land across the UK from farmland, renewables, biodiversity and housing needs

Natural Environment

Planting, looking after and protecting trees can be a simple way to make a difference

Water

If you are looking to report any flooding, please head to our flooding information page

Pages in Our work so far

Carbon Footprint

We have made an annual commitment to report on our carbon footprint

Climate news and events

Keep up to date with all our climate related news stories here

Climate Summit

21 September 2022, 10am to 1pm, Queen's College, Taunton

Previous climate plans and strategies

View our climate and ecological emergency strategies - split into nine themes

Climate news archive

Read past press releases and news stories related to the climate and ecological emergency

The Great Green Directory

We have complied a list of local Eco-businesses so you can make sustainable and ethical choices when choosing products and services

View all local Eco-Businesses

Latest climate news

Climate Emergency
Aug 29

Councillors call for new Government commitment to net zero

Somerset Council’s Lead members for the environment have written to Ed Miliband asking for a renewed Government commitment to helping…

Read more about Climate news in Somerset

View all Climate news

Subscribe to our Environmental and Ecological newsletter

Get positive news about the environment, project updates, events, and more from the council.

Subscribe to Environment news

Contact us

If you have a question, or you just need to get in touch with us, you can contact us here.

Get in touch