Climate Change

Climate change will affect everyone, and by doing nothing its impacts will get much worse. But we still have time to turn the situation around and get back on track if we act now. We want to help make this happen to benefit all the residents in Sandwell.

The role of the Council

In 2019, the UK government committed to become net zero by 2050. Net zero means all of the greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere must be removed to slow down and eventually stop the Earth heating up.

In recognition of the urgency to tackle climate change, Sandwell Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2020. We have two targets we have committed to:

1. To be a carbon-neutral Council by 2030
2. To be a carbon-neutral borough by 2041

We worked together with residents of Sandwell during an eight-week public consultation on climate change and air quality in early 2020, where we found that many participants were very concerned about these topics.

This helped us shape our Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.

How is the Council tackling climate change?

Emission Reporting

Below are our greenhouse gas emissions for Scope 1, 2 and 3.

Scope 1 emissions are the direct emissions we cause, such as burning gas and oil for energy. Scope 2 emissions are the emissions from the electricity we buy, and scope 3 emissions all the other indirect emissions tied to Council activities, such as buying goods and services, disposing of waste, business travel and employee commuting to name a few.

Not all of our scope 3 emissions have been reported here, we are working on increasing our knowledge of our emissions in this area.  We use the Environmental Reporting Guidelines from Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and report each calendar year:

Solar PV

At our main office building at Sandwell Council House, we’ve installed solar PV panels and heat pumps which will help us cut our carbon emissions. We’ve also installed solar panels at Tipton Leisure Centre, Wednesbury Leisure Centre, Blackheath Library and Bleakhouse Library. Solar PV was also added to West Bromwich Outdoor Market through the Towns Fund programme in 2021, and the Sandwell Aquatic Centre, run by Sandwell Leisure Trust, also has solar PV and solar thermal heating to reduce emissions.

Trees and Compost

Our Trees Strategy was approved by Cabinet in February 2023 and commits to planting 15,000 new trees by 2030. We also have selected sites across the borough that we cut less often to promote wildlife.

The Council use peat-free compost and topsoil. Peatlands and peatbogs store a large quantity of carbon, keeping it from harming our environment. When we remove it to use in compost, we disturb the stored carbon and it gets released into the atmosphere, which contributues to global warming. By using peat-free compost and topsoil, we help keep the carbon stored in the ground.

District heat pump

Refurbishments are under way at Darley House which will see four low rise blocks and the high-rise block receive a much-needed modernisation. This will include external insulation by over cladding the blocks with mineral wool insulation and rain screen cladding to improve the thermal efficiency, replacing the single glazed windows with double glazed windows, new insulated pitched roofs to cover the existing flat roofs. This will help save energy and costs, as well as upgrading of street lighting and a new district heating system that will serve all the blocks. Find out more here.

Single Use Plastic Policy

Our Single Use Plastics Policy was adopted in November 2023 and will help the Council reduce the amount of single use plastics we use and throw away.

Circular Economy

The West Midland Resource Reuse Network (WMRRN), run by International Synergies Ltd (ISL) on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), is a regional, facilitated programme highlighting the following waste steams: waste water sludge, sand and metals. The WMRRN project enables ISL to provide support to companies managing these waste streams with the potential to generate impact including cost and carbon savings, new revenue streams, job creation, waste reduction, resource efficiency and social value creation. To get involved click here.

Engagement 

Business Events

We’re holding a series of events funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund called ‘Net Zero Navigators’. We’re holding them for businesses in Sandwell, to help you take your first steps on your journey to net zero. We’ve had two in the series so far, one about energy efficiency support and one to support businesses in circular economy practices. They are free to attend, so head to the events page for more upcoming sessions and other events to help out your business.

The Strategy Room

Sandwell Council took part in a pilot scheme to develop “The Strategy Room”, a 90-minute game to find out what residents think about climate change policies, run by Nesta and Fast Familiar. We reached over 100 participants across the borough and nearly all said they enjoyed discussing what climate actions could work in their local area, from local and sustainably-sourced food to community energy schemes. Anonymised data was collected during the sessions and is available to view on their website.

Net Zero Innovation Programme

We received funding from the Local Government Association (LGA) and University College London (UCL) to tackle climate change locally. We opened our climate change grant funding pot and 10 groups were successful in applying for over £23,000 in total during 2022. This has enabled them to run climate change projects within their community - from cycling schemes to upcycling, to community gardens and supporting biodiversity.

Multistory - Green Roots Programme

Multistory is a community arts organisation, and Sandwell Council has helped fund their 'Green Roots' programme, which invites Sandwell residents to explore how we might build environmentally resilient communities through our local, natural and urban environments. Through their activities such as 'People and Planters' and 'Climate Stewardship', they are encouraging us to get outside more and switch our behaviours to be more environmentall conscious.

Funding

Small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) grants to help you achieve ‘Net Zero in Sandwell’

OPEN

Sandwell Council (with funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund) is taking applications from eligible businesses for grants of up to £100k (at an intervention rate of up to 50 per cent of the total project cost). The grant will help you achieve energy reduction measures after undergoing an energy audit via the Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme – find out more here.

WMCA Community Environment Fund

Due to the enthusiastic and incredible response from applicants, the Community Environment Fund is now closed.

The Community Environment Fund was launched in October 2023 by West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). The Community Environment Fund has £1m of grant funding available from the Government’s Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund to support communities in delivering initiatives that improve the environment and people’s lives.

Approximately 30 small grants of up to £25,000 and 5 large grants of up to £100,000 will be awarded
for projects located WMCA area under the following project themes:

• Natural environment – to protect, restore and enhance nature and wildlife.
• Circular economy – to reduce waste and keep resources and materials in use for
  as long as possible.
• Climate adaptation – to make communities more resilient and prepared for the
  impacts of climate change.
• Access to green space – to provide better access to and community use of green
  space for health and wellbeing – similar to the existing Community Green Grants
  programme.
• Environment awareness – to improve knowledge of environment issues and
  support behaviour change.

Electric Vehicles

We have installed 26 charge points across our sites to start transferring our fleet to electric vehicles. We have invested in 18 fully electric fleet vehicles and hope to expand in the coming years. We are in conversation with Black Country Transport to increase our public elect vehicle charger provision, for more information click here.

Schools

We've worked with eight schools across the borough to install solar PV on their buildings, so that their school can benefit from clean renewable energy. In addition, starting in September 2024, we are funding the first year's subscription for schools to join the Eco Schools Programme, where schools can follow a provides a simple, seven-step framework which empowering young people to make a difference in their school, local community and beyond. Interested in getting involved? Email the climate change team

Read more about Council activities that help climate change below:

• Reduce your energy costs
• Recycling guide
• Public transport
• Green spaces in Sandwell
• Electric vehicles and Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) strategy
• Single Use Plastics Policy
• Improving air quality
• Order a Food Waste Bin
• View the Draft Local Plan

Questions? Email the climate change team