The climate emergency declaration

The council is proud to be taking a leading role working with individuals, communities, businesses, and partners across the city to act now on the causes and impacts of climate change.

On 11 June 2019 the council declared a climate emergency and made a commitment to reduce the city’s carbon emissions and limit the climate crisis. As part of this declaration, an ambitious target was set for 'the council and city to become net zero carbon by 2030, or as soon as possible thereafter as a just transition allows', going beyond the Government's own net zero by 2050 target.

Following this, the Route to Zero (R20) Taskforce was created in Autumn 2019 which brought together Members and officers from the council, representatives from the West Midlands Combined Authority, the NHS, higher education, the business community, faith communities, climate campaigners, and other key stakeholders. The taskforce worked in collaboration with the council to produce the Route to Zero Action Plan. This is the core strategy document for our climate change work and was reviewed and updated in 2023 which you can find here, Route to Net Zero Annual Report 2023.

The taskforce was disbanded in 2021 following the approval of the action plan.

Page last updated: 24 January 2024