Telford & Wrekin Council achieves 63% carbon reduction in journey to carbon neutral
Telford & Wrekin Council has achieved a 63% reduction in carbon emissions since 2018/19, putting it 8% ahead of target in its journey to become carbon neutral by 2030.
The progress made in 2024/25, outlined in a report to Cabinet on 6 January 2026, demonstrates the Council's continued commitment to tackling the climate emergency declared in 2019, while delivering significant financial savings and benefits to residents and communities across the borough.
However, the Council warns that the effects of climate change are already being felt, resulting in increased costs through increased demands on services including flood defences, emergency response, and road repairs from extreme weather highlighting the critical importance of both reducing emissions and adapting to climate change.
To address this, the Council's proactive climate action plan is delivering substantial cost savings and protecting services, whilst the wider impacts of climate change continue to create significant financial pressures across public services and the local economy.
By improving energy efficiency of buildings and streetlighting the Council has achieved a 28% reduction in energy consumption compared to 2018/19.
During 2024/25, the Council delivered an impressive range of decarbonisation projects to reduce future costs and build resilience:
Leisure and Community Facilities
- Wellington Leisure Centre received £1.1 million from the Salix Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme for energy efficiency improvements, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 70 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year and cutting ongoing energy costs.
- Oakengates Leisure Centre upgrades cut carbon emissions by 161 tonnes annually while reducing energy costs by 45%, with savings reinvested into frontline services.
- Plans submitted for the new Captain Matthew Webb Swimming and Fitness Centre in Dawley, designed with sustainability at its core to minimise future running costs.
Affordable Warmth and Housing
- Secured £6.7 million Warm Homes Local Grant funding to deliver energy performance upgrades to low-income homes, helping residents save on energy bills and reduce fuel poverty.
- NuPlace has delivered 132 energy-efficient properties with solar panels and EV charging points, providing homes that are more affordable to heat and reducing residents' energy costs.
- A further 161 low energy homes under construction, including 117 at Station Quarter achieving EPC 'A' rating for environmental impact.
- 16,184 LED bulbs distributed to residents, helping families reduce electricity bills during the cost-of-living crisis.
Transport and Active Travel
- £683,370 awarded for 70 dual EV charge points in Council car parks, with an additional 104 charge points to be installed over the next 12 months.
- £1,020,000 secured from the Local EV Infrastructure fund for on-street charge points.
- Bikeability cycle training saw a 47% increase, with 1,281 pupils trained in 2024/25, which was the highest growth in England.
Renewable Energy
- Wheat Leasows solar farm generated 3,144 MWh of electricity in 2024/25, enough to power 1,084 homes per year.
- Over £348,000 has been awarded to support projects for businesses and community groups through the Climate Change Fund.
Councillor Carolyn Healy, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Sustainability, said: "We have made strong progress in reducing the Council's emissions so far, and while we recognise it is getting harder and more challenging, we know it is still the right thing to do. The investment we are making provides long-term gains in health, cost of living and resilience for our residents and communities.
"However, we must be clear that climate change is already having a real financial impact. This includes emergency responses, infrastructure repairs, flood defences, and increased pressure on health services. Every pound we invest in reducing emissions and building climate resilience is a pound that helps protect our services and our local economy from even greater future costs."
Alongside reducing emissions, the Council has developed a comprehensive Corporate Climate Change Risk Register to address the current and future effects of climate change on local services.
The Council is taking proactive measures to build resilience, including natural flood management through reed planting at Local Nature Reserves, strengthened emergency response capabilities, and support for vulnerable residents during extreme weather events.
Telford & Wrekin Council also continues to support climate action across the borough through the Climate Change Borough Partnership, with the 2025 annual conference bringing together partners, communities and businesses to share updates and develop new collaborative opportunities.
The Telford Sustainability and Energy Cluster (TSEC) continues to support local businesses, with the Marches Energy Grant programme awarding £483,532 to 23 businesses and community centres for energy efficiency improvements.
The Council remains committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 and is working with the Midlands Net Zero Hub to prioritise future projects. Key priorities include continuing to explore renewable energy generation opportunities, supporting residents and businesses to address fuel poverty, and strengthening climate resilience across the borough.
By taking action now to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change, the Council aims to minimise future costs to public services, protect the local economy from climate-related disruptions, and safeguard the health and wellbeing of residents.
