Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
The Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) serves as the council’s roadmap for achieving the goals set out in the Climate Change Strategy, including becoming a carbon neutral and climate resilient organisation by 2030.
We developed the CAAP in partnership with all services across the organisation, as we know that all teams, regardless of specific remit or duties, have a role to play in meeting our climate aspirations. The CAAP provides an agreed approach, together with performance monitoring and resource requirements, for the council’s climate change mitigation and adaptation activities.
The CAAP is organised into 6 pathways for action that define the major areas of work that we will pursue.
Work is ongoing across each of these pathways to ensure we are comprehensively addressing mitigation and adaptation planning.
Our key corporate activities over the next three years are summarised across 20 priority actions. These priority actions spell out the ambitious action that we are taking to ambitiously reduce carbon emissions and prepare our services, assets, and communities to withstand the impacts of climate change.
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (PDF, 531KB)Pathways for action
Resources and influence
Ensuring climate change mitigation and adaptation are at the forefront of decision making across the organisation.
Buildings and energy
Pursuing a sustainable estate with carbon-neutral operation, that supports the transition to low carbon energy.
Transport
Supporting transportation that minimises environmental impacts and promotes sustainable travel methods
Procurement and commissioning
Securing the best possible value including carbon, cost, quality, and social value when purchasing goods and services
Nature and environment
Pursuing ‘nature-based’ solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change, sequester carbon, and protect the environment.
Communities
Supporting, enabling, and inspiring West Sussex partners, communities, and businesses to work together to address climate change.
Carbon emissions projections
Implementing our Climate Action and Adaptation Plan is projected to result in a steady reduction in our organisational carbon emissions by 2027.
The bar chart shows tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emitted annually from 2019 to 2023 by sources within the scope of the council’s reported baseline, and projected annual emissions for the years to 2027. It shows that the council’s emissions have reduced since 2019.
It also highlights that our emissions baseline was increased in 2023 due to improved data quality allowing for new emissions categories to be added to our reporting.
The chart shows how our emissions to 2027 are projected to reduce each year due to implementation of our Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and the expected decarbonisation of the National Grid.
It highlights how the council’s plans for estate decarbonisation, our programme to convert streetlights to LED, and our programme for electrification of our fleet vehicles are significant elements driving emissions reduction.
Read about our carbon emissions reporting methodology.