Council is committed to creating a greener Chesterfield in new two‑year plan
Chesterfield Borough Council has published its Climate Change Delivery Plan for 2026 to 2028, setting out the key actions it will take to cut carbon emissions, strengthen climate resilience, and prepare for the transition to a new unitary council in 2028.
The council remains committed to creating a greener Chesterfield, focusing on reducing the carbon footprint of its own operations and working with community groups, residents and partners to support a more sustainable borough.
Approved by Cabinet on 17 March, the updated plan streamlines activity across six priority areas. With Local Government Reorganisation approaching, the council has focused on the areas where it can make the biggest impact over the next two years. The plan also builds on the Climate Emergency commitment made in 2019 to become a carbon neutral organisation and support the wider borough to reach net zero by 2050.
Positive changes over the last two years:
- Over £170,000 invested in community climate projects, from solar panels to active travel and education initiatives.
- A‑rated, energy‑efficient new build council homes featuring air source heat pumps and underfloor heating.
- 34 petrol and diesel vehicles replaced with low‑emission electric models.
- During 2024 and 2025, more than 50 households supported to improve energy efficiency through partnerships with Marches Energy Agency and E.ON.
- Additional funding secured with the Midlands Net Zero Hub to deliver a three‑year decarbonisation programme for council homes and private properties.
- Solar panels installed at the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre, helping local businesses benefit from greener energy.
- Carbon Literacy and Climate Fresk training delivered to council teams.
- Nearly £2.4 million secured from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to support heat decarbonisation at Staveley’s Healthy Living Centre.
Councillor Martin Stone, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for climate change, planning and the environment, said:
“The publishing of this new delivery plan shows both our commitment and ambition to make both our organisation and our communities as environmentally friendly as possible, reducing our carbon emissions and planning for the future.
“The Delivery Plan has been developed through ongoing engagement with council services and wider partners and will focus on the key activities needed to maintain momentum on the council’s climate achievements to date, and I’m happy with our clear objectives over the next two years.”
Chesterfield Borough Council’s six priority areas for action from 2026 to 2028 are:
- Decarbonising council assets and increasing energy efficiency and expanding renewable energy generation
- Supporting residents to decarbonise and adapt homes to a changing climate
- Electrifying and decarbonising the council fleet
- Improving climate friendly land management and biodiversity
- Strengthening partnership working with key stakeholders and community groups
- Reporting climate activity and progress, maintaining accountability
The full Climate Change Delivery Plan 2026 t0 2028 is available at:
www.chesterfield.gov.uk/climate-change-strategy
To discover more on what makes Chesterfield a great place to live, visit: www.chesterfield.co.uk/about-chesterfield/living
