Birmingham's route to net zero by 2030, explained

Birmingham City Council has set itself one of the most ambitious climate targets of any large city in the UK: for the council and the city to become net zero carbon by 2030, or as soon as possible afterwards as a just transition allows.

How the target was set

The council declared a climate emergency on 11 June 2019. Its target is two decades earlier than the Government's national goal of net zero by 2050.

Net zero means cutting greenhouse gas emissions as far as possible and balancing any that remain by removing the same amount from the atmosphere, for example by planting trees.

A just transition

The phrase "just transition" means making sure that the move to a low carbon economy is fair, so that people on low incomes are not left paying the highest price, and that workers in industries that change are supported into new jobs.

What is being done

The council's work includes the Urban Nature Development and Urban Forest Accelerator projects, which aim to increase the city's tree canopy and improve green spaces, and a Green Infrastructure Master Plan for East Birmingham. Birmingham is also a pilot city for Carmine, a project developing ways for cities to become more resilient to a changing climate.

Partners include the region's combined authority, the Midlands Net Zero Hub, the National Trust, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Government departments.

The biggest challenges

Most of Birmingham's emissions come from heating buildings, from transport and from industry. Cutting them means insulating hundreds of thousands of homes, replacing gas boilers with heat pumps or heat networks, and persuading more people to walk, cycle and use public transport.

Is 2030 realistic?

Many experts say reaching net zero by 2030 will be extremely difficult, especially given the council's financial problems. The council's own wording, "or as soon as possible thereafter", recognises that the date may slip. Supporters argue that an ambitious target still drives action.

The draft Local Plan

The council's new draft Local Plan, published this month, sets out how planning rules will help the city move towards net zero.