Climate change and sustainability

Climate and ecological emergency

We have declared a climate and ecological emergency and made this one of our six corporate priorities. We have pledged to become net zero as an organisation by 2030, and for our housing stock to become net zero by 2050 in line with UK targets.

Although the majority of the borough's emissions are outside of our direct control, we have also pledged to support the borough to become net zero by 2050. We will work alongside individuals, community groups, businesses and schools to help achieve this. This particular target is the responsibility of everyone and we all have a part to play.

Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy

To help us achieve our net zero pledges, we have developed a  Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy (PDF 7MB), which provides a range of information, including:

  • Our key objectives
  • Information on our carbon emissions - both as an organisation and a borough
  • Our plan for action - including direct and indirect action
  • The key areas we will be focusing on and why:      

Under each of these key areas we discuss what we are doing, what we are doing to support others, and outline actions you could take as an individual.

Dacorum Climate Action Network

As part of our Sustainable Communities climate work, we have launched a Dacorum Climate Action Network (Dacorum CAN) , which brings together local individuals and organisations to ‘think global and act local’.

Find out more about Dacorum Climate Action Network and how to join as an individual or an organisation.

Green Community Grants

To support the borough in reducing emissions, improving biodiversity and living more sustainably, each year we provide Green Community Grant funding to local groups. Groups can apply for up to £3,000 to support with their environmental projects. Find out more about the Green Community Grant. 

Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership (HCCSP)

We are an active partner of the Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership (HCCSP).
The HCCSP has members from all local district and borough councils, Hertfordshire County Council, and the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

This strategic partnership works together to share information and progress joint interventions around climate change and sustainability across Hertfordshire. More information can be found on the HCCSP website.

HCCSP has created a Sustainability Guide, which shares ideas and information about how you can take action in your home and your local community to help us thrive alongside nature in Hertfordshire.

Carbon Literacy accreditation 

We're proud to become the first borough council in the UK to achieve a Silver level Carbon Literate Organisation accreditation.

To be fully equipped for helping the borough reduce its carbon emissions as much, and as quickly as possible, we worked with APSE Energy to deliver Carbon Literacy Training to 60 of our employees, including our Chief Executive, Claire Hamilton, making her the second ever CEO of a council in the UK to achieve this.

The Carbon Literacy training course has been recognised by the United Nations at COP21 - the Paris Climate Conference - where it was chosen as one of 100 worldwide Transformative Action Programs.

The day's training taught staff about the science and causes of climate change, the effect it is already having, the predicted future impact, and explored the solutions we can take as individuals, as well as a council.

By completing this training, we have now received Silver level accreditation, as we have demonstrated that we have made a substantial commitment to Carbon Literacy.

We're working hard to reach our environmental goals and being recognised as a carbon literate organisation is just one of the many steps that we are putting in place to help reduce our carbon emissions. 

Contact us

If you would like more information, or if you have a specific request, please email sustainability@dacorum.gov.uk