Our sustainability commitments

Working together to become one of London’s most sustainable boroughs, join us on our journey.

About our commtment to sustainability

We have developed a climate action plan to:

As well as reducing the emissions of the borough by 2042, we have committed to becoming a net zero council by 2030.

We're focusing on nine key themes to drive this change, and each one represents a crucial part of our collective efforts.

Retrofit Barnet’s social housing to increase energy efficiency to an average of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) B rating by 2030
Support residents to improve the energy efficiency of homes in the private sector through signposting towards impartial information and Government grants to retrofit their homes and reduce energy bills, whilst supporting residents at risk of fuel poverty who are struggling to manage high energy costs
Retrofit council-owned corporate buildings to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030
Ensure that our Local Plan, accompanying planning policies, and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) comply with the London Plan’s policies on low carbon development and climate resilient standards. Review and update our policies as appropriate to ensure that the Council enables and strives for net zero and sustainable housing and infrastructure development to the highest possible standards
Ensure that all new housing and infrastructure developments commissioned by the council in partnership with developers from 2025 onwards will have net zero carbon emissions
Engage with partners, industry experts and the local supply chain to drive sustainable practices in the built environment

Develop a Local Area Energy Plan to improve understanding of how energy demand supply will change across Barnet over time, as well as identify areas across the borough where there are opportunities to decarbonise the energy network
Explore opportunities to increase coverage of solar panels across council owned buildings
Support the installation of solar panels by residents and businesses in privately-owned buildings through grants, advice, and signposting
Transition the council to a renewable energy supplier at the end of the current contract. Increase the council’s procurement of renewable or low carbon energy through the utilisation of green supply tariffs and REGOs (Renewable Guarantees of Origin) certified energy

Enable and promote the uptake of active travel where appropriate by improving walking and cycling infrastructure
Deliver the School Streets scheme to reduce congestion around schools in the borough and create a safe area for young people to take active routes to school
Work with Transport for London and other partners to improve orbital public transport connections that connect Barnet to the rest of London through projects such as the West London Orbital and Superloop
Encourage sustainable travel including low and zero emission vehicles and increase electric vehicle charging points across the borough
Develop, implement, and support strategies which contribute to the reduction of air pollution in the borough, including the delivery of the Air Quality Action Plan 2023-28 as well as supporting schemes such as the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)

Improve biodiversity associated with private housing and new developments. This includes replacing biodiversity lost through construction and prioritising green spaces in new developments
Commit to using peat free compost as peat stores carbon and the use of peat compost releases this stored carbon into the atmosphere
Improve water and flood risk management through policies and infrastructure
Increase tree cover through planting programmes. Trees have a number of environmental benefits including storing carbon, absorbing pollution, and lowering flood risk by intercepting water
Having declared an ecological emergency, increase understanding of existing biodiversity and ecosystems across the borough through improved monitoring and data collection to direct further action

Reduce the quantity of household waste and reintroduce food waste collection across the borough
Reduce the quantity of commercial business waste through financial incentive schemes to encourage recycling
Transition the council's fleet, of which the majority are waste collection vehicles, to a sustainably fuelled fleet of vehicles by 2030 where technology allows
Educate residents on good recycling practice through a continued communications campaign. Collaborate with the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) on communication and engagement activities, including work with schools.

Identify potential new green jobs in the borough and what skills will be needed in the future. This will provide more jobs for residents while contributing to the wider sustainable objectives of the borough
Work with local businesses to understand how sustainability can be integrated into current and future business practices. The council will support businesses through signposting funding sources, assisting with recruitment, and locating workspaces
Increase training in green skills in partnership with Middlesex University, Barnet and Southgate College, the West London Alliance (WLA), and the Mayor's Academy Hub. Communicate green jobs and skills through school engagement about careers advice
Increase the number of green jobs in the borough in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and The Skills Centre in construction and other sectors
Explore incentives to support and recognise businesses that comply with good sustainability practices
Open up discussion about zero-carbon deliveries with local businesses
Support the delivery of a Library of Things, a community-based initiative that lets residents rent useful objects, saving residents money and reducing the need to buy items may go unused in the long term

Following on from the Citizens' Assembly, follow up the residents' recommendations with delivery and implementation of their ideas with participants
Ensure Barnet's approach to sustainability is inclusive and meeting the needs of the community through continued consultations and ensuring we are acting in a fair and transparent way
Keep the community engaged through the BarNET ZERO campaign to keep residents informed of the council's actions working towards our sustainability ambitions
Engage residents and community groups to work in partnership with the council through the provision of funding for sustainable community projects, and by signposting to information and grant opportunities where available
Explore innovation through academic research partners and collaboration
Work with schools and Barnet Education & Learning Service (BELS) to support education settings to embed sustainability

Educate all council employees about the council's wider sustainability objectives through training modules and other communication methods
Evaluate council carbon emissions from staff commute and business-related travel to understand how best to reduce these emissions
Aim to reduce waste generated from council buildings and increase council building recycling rates
Evaluate council carbon emissions from our supply chain and take steps to reduce these emissions

Refocus the council's investments to consider more sustainable funds that will grow the council’s finances in a way that also invests in long-term social and environmental value