The Council is committed to making changes across all our services to play our part to tackle the Climate Emergency and it is one of the Council’s seven key priorities, as set out in our Stronger Futures plan.

The objectives that underpin this priority include:

• Reducing the carbon footprint of the Council

• Support the decarbonisation of energy, industry and business

• Improve sustainable transport and infrastructure

• Enable low carbon buildings, homes and development

• Enhancing green spaces

• Reduce waste and increase recycling

As an organisation we have a target to be carbon neutral by 2030 and are leading by example to help the borough to be carbon neutral by 2045.

Below are some examples of the work we’ve done so far to help achieve this

Bike Week is the UK’s biggest awareness-raising moment of the year for cycling and provides an opportunity to remind ourselves about the positives bikes can bring, for our health and wellbeing, as well as our communities and the planet.

Organised by Cycling UK, this year’s theme is be a bike hero. By being a bike hero we can build a happier and greener world through cycling, saving the planet, saving money and boosting our wellbeing.

There are lots of opportunities for us all to get out on a bike, whether we’re an avid cyclist already or haven’t been on a bike since we were a child.

Here's some ideas to help you get out on your bike.

• Replace a short journey you’d usually take by car
• Take the kids out for a bike ride, or ride to and from school
• Encourage friends to join you on a ride
• Join a bike week event in your area
• Inspire others by sharing your cycling journey on social media. Use the hashtags #BikeWeekUK and #BikeHero

There are lots of tips and advice to get you out on your bike on the Cycling UK website.

Free cycle training for schools

The Council’s Road Safety Team continues to work with schools across the borough to offer free cycle Bikeability training for pupils. The training is organised and delivered across the borough by the Council’s delivery provider, Bikeright.

Any schools in west Cheshire can take part in the training programme, which provides young people with the skills and confidence to ride their bike safely.

For further information and to book a space visit the Bikeright website.

Active Travel Festival – Sunday, 16 June

The Active Travel Festival (AtFest) will be returning for its second year to Chester city centre, promoting all modes of active travel and the benefits for our health and communities. The event, which is take place in Town Hall Square, is part of the wider Chester Green Weekend event. There will be a range of activities taking place on the day from bike health checks, freestyle mountain bike stunt displays, security marking of bikes and films and talks.

Find out more over on the AtFest website.

Cycle buddy scheme

If you are keen to get on your bike but are unsure of routes or need a bit of a confidence boost to take that first step, the Chester Cycling Campaign’s Cycle Buddy Scheme could be the ideal solution. The free scheme matches experienced volunteer cyclists who are Campaign members with those aged 18 or over who would like some support to help them cycle more in Chester. Find out more on the Chester Cycling Campaign website.

There is just one week to go until Cheshire West and Chester Council’s first electric vehicle awareness event in Ellesmere Port Civic Hall on Tuesday 21 May.

The event is free to attend and open to everyone with an interest in switching to EVs and more sustainable motoring to help reduce carbon emissions on the borough’s roads.

At the ‘understanding how to transition to electric vehicles in business and at home’ event the first two hours is for businesses only (between 8am to 10am) and then doors open to the public from 10am until 2pm.

The event will showcase a broad range of EVs with the opportunity to get behind the wheel and go for a test drive. Experts will be on hand to give presentations and answers questions on all aspects of electric motoring; environmental performance, grants, salary sacrifice, operation costs, charging infrastructures and more.

Electric vehicles on display at the event will include the BMW i5, BMW iX2, BYD Atto 3, BYD Seal, Ford E-Transit, Ford Mach-E, MINI Cooper, Peugeot E-2008, Peugeot E-308, Vauxhall Astra Electric, Vauxhall Mokka Electric, Volkswagen ID.7 and the Volkswagen ID. Buzz. The Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, Toyota bZ4X and the Toyota Proace City van will be available for test drives.

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Strategic Transport and Highways, Councillor Karen Shore said: “This event is all about educating people in the transition to zero emissions motoring, as transport is currently responsible for much of our roadside air pollution.

“If you are considering owning an EV or just want to find out more, then this event offers the perfect opportunity for you to do your research and ask any questions you may have.

“There is just a week to go so if you are a local business with lots of questions about how to swap to electric, please register to secure your place as soon as possible, so you can get the answers you need.”

Businesses need to register prior to attending the event but members of the public are free to walk in any time after 10am. Business tickets are available from Ticketsource.

To take part in the test drives, just download your DVLA licence check before you come, by visiting: www.viewdrivingrecord.service.gov.uk. This will speed up your registration on the day, though checks on the day are possible if needed, just bring your driving licence and NI number.

More information and a draft agenda for the business segment of the event is on the Council’s website – www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/EVevent

Cheshire West and Chester Council have planted an Oak and long-lived broadleaf woodland on a 10-hectare, Council owned site, near Barrow, this winter.


After a rather wet winter and spring, the Council’s Climate Change Team visited the newly planted site in early May to see the work that has been completed already and hear about the plans to create a mosaic of habitats on this site.

Howard Pimborough, Woodland Creation Projects Delivery Officer for the Council, explains why the site had been chosen and more about the design of the new woodland here.

'This was low value agricultural land that is seasonally wet, so tree species selection was essential to its successful establishment. Equally the wood needs to be resilient against climate change, future pests and diseases, and help in reducing local surface water flooding. In the design phase the project was computer modelled using Forestry Commission software, to ensure its long-term survival.

The woodland was created utilising innovative techniques to maximise its potential, not only to meet the requirements of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)*, but to also create a mosaic of different habitats (essential for any good woodland design). Old ponds were restored, and new ones created with edges sown with wildflowers. Open spaces managed as woodland meadow are included in the design providing space for natural regeneration of existing mature trees, which border the fields.

An example of the types of innovation on the site was the translocation of early mature Crack and Goat Willow. Basically, removing early mature trees choking and shading out an existing pond, pollarding** them, and replanting in a more desirable location. This way the woodland has two ages of trees, not just young ones (or, even three ages of trees if we count the old Oak in the hedgerows).

One of the mature trees that has been moved to a more desirable location on the site

One of the reasons this site was selected to establish a new woodland on was because of the existing specie rich woodland adjacent to it. This should speed up the new woodland’s potential for wildlife as ground flora, fungi and other species now have room to spread and increase, bringing benefits to the quality of both the old and new woodland.

We’ve also left standing deadwood and deliberately splinted timber and old root plates placed across the site to replicate the result of a storm, which will provide ideal habitat for invertebrates. Coronet cutting*** techniques have also been used on declining trees to increase their potential for bats and stag beetle.

If the gauge of success is how quickly wildlife occupies the site, then early indications are very positive, with wild geese and waterfowl using the restored open water. Meadow buttercup and Cuckoo Flower is visible in the open grassland and there has been an increased presence of bees and butterflies In the future we intend to place Beehives on the site to improve pollination and support our native Honey Bees, who are very much under pressure. This site is perfect for them.

One of the ponds that has been restored

Forestry is a long-term investment, and it is vital that there is a sustainable revenue stream that supports this project and others without impacting the Council budget. To that end, the woodland needs to be commercially viable, that is producing high quality hardwoods and other forest products for the future, this is why the woodland is divided into identifiable stands of trees and a long-term management plan in place. Using continuous cover forestry, enables us to harvest on a sustainable, rotational basis, provide employment and it also helps in creating a diverse woodland structure.

Equally we have the value of ‘home grown’ Carbon Sequestration and BNG units (to meet changes in the Town and Country Planning act). Without Carbon Units and BNG units created ‘in County’, the Council would need to purchase elsewhere (costing far more and without any local benefit), impacting the Council’s Net Zero aims and restricting development. Most importantly, if the land has no value, who will value and preserve it?

From the outset, this has been a cross department co-operative effort between the Council’s Total Environment team and the Climate Change Team. It was really important to get both teams involved in its establishment, with Total Environment and The Climate Change team helping to plant trees and sow wildflower seed. Being part of helping nature, on a project that will outlast us all, and being amongst our natural environment is fantastic for mindfulness and well-being. In future projects perhaps we can get all our departments to come along and join us on this and other innovative, ambitious, projects. It is without doubt, a way of providing a most satisfying and worthwhile gift to future generations and their sustainability.'

The Climate Change Team helping to sow wildflowers

This work is contributing to the Council’s Land Action Plan and Climate Emergency Response Plan, helping the borough to become carbon neutral by 2045 and the Council, as an organisation, by 2030. Every tree planted in the borough is also helping to grow the Mersey Forest and the wider Northern Forest, helping to connect more of our communities with nature.

Find out more about our response to the Climate and Nature Emergency: Home | Climate Response (westcheshireclimateplan.co.uk)

You can share what action you are taking to reduce your own carbon footprint over on the Climate Emergency Inspire page.

*Biodiversity Net Gain is the term used to describe the process of increasing the overall biodiversity value of a development site.

**Pollarding is a method of pruning that keeps trees and shrubs smaller than they would naturally grow.

***Coronet cutting is a pruning technique that mimics the way natural tears and fractured branches occur on stem wood and branches.

Bikeability is today’s cycle training for the 21st Century. It is based on the government approved National Standards for cycle training. It is organised and delivered at schools across the borough, or locally, by the Council's delivery provider, Bikeright.


Cycling is a life skill and cycling safely, with confidence is key to enjoyment and participation, helping young people to develop lifelong physical activity habits to gain independence, social skills and a sense of wellbeing.

Any schools in west Cheshire can take part in the training programme and bikes and helmets are available for training sessions too. Learn to ride training sessions can also be provided for year four, five and six to prepare students for the on-road training in years five and six.

For more information and to book click here

Watch a video of a Bikeability session held at Victoria Road School, Northwich.

The Council will share details about family and adult training sessions later in the year.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has secured £2,049,000 Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funding (LEVI). The fund is managed by the Office of Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), with a Support Body consisting of the Energy Savings Trust (EST), PA consulting and Cenex.

The funding will help to support EV charging solutions for people who are unable to charge at home (off street). The Council will now start an Invitation to Tender procurement process, to identify private investment from Charge Point Operators, to invest to deliver a commercial return over time. The public-private partnership will then deliver a comprehensive volume and type of chargers, meeting resident needs.

The majority of EV charging takes place at home, but this can be a challenge for residents without access to off-street parking. The Council aims to ensure residents will have easy access to EV charging, within a short walking distance through a range of car parks and on-street.

Council-owned car parks will be the first choice of where to site chargers. These car parks are often located in central areas. The plan will be to supply a quantity of chargers into these locations. As the demand for chargers increases the availability can be increased. Where car parks are further away than just a short walk, on-street chargers will be considered.

In addition to this, other locations that suit people’s normal routine and may support more sustainable travel will be considered. The Council will work with partners to install chargers into park and ride sites, leisure centre car parks and into railway station car parks, alongside council car parks.

The new funding is expected to enable an initial installation of around 600 chargers, with approximately 300 in car parks and 300 on-street locations across the borough. The initial installation phase will start in late 2024 and is expected to take around five years.

The first stage will be engagement with possible Charge Point Operators taking place between April and June. Site feasibility studies will take place during the Summer 2024 with the first new charging points being installed Autumn 2024.

A six-week public consultation took place between 1 February and 15 March 2023. Responses showed a high degree of support from those who already drive electric vehicles and those who do not.

There were over 200 responses to the consultation 70 per cent of respondents said they agreed with the aims of the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy. Most respondents (53.9 per cent) considered that the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure will have a positive impact upon them.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has won the Green Public Service award at the iESE Public Sector Transformation Awards, in acknowledgement of the Council’s support to the world’s first net zero industrial cluster being developed in Ellesmere Port.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “I am delighted to receive the Green Public Service award. Awards like this help to promote the truly world leading activities in our borough. Being a net zero industrial producer is currently a pipe-dream in all but the most niche circumstances, however in west Cheshire, it will become a reality, attracting many more businesses to locate here

The Council’s programme of support to the industrial area has a long-standing history but in relation to net zero, this is a decade-long programme which is now moving into high gear. By working collaboratively alongside businesses, our communities and partners we are all playing our part to help the borough reach carbon neutrality by 2045, providing a healthier and resilient place for people to live, work and do business.”

Ellesmere Port is a world leading area in industrial decarbonisation, aiming to be the UK’s first low carbon industrial cluster by 2030, and the world’s first net zero industrial area by 2045. The infrastructure and technology being developed there presents a vital lifeline for domestic industry to ensure that it can continue to be productive, innovative and globally competitive.

The Council has worked extensively with industry and communities to facilitate the development of this cluster and deliver the combination of skills, relationships, resources and policy that make it one of the most exciting areas in the world for low carbon innovation.

ORIGIN was launched last year, a brand for the Ellesmere Port Industrial area, helping to lead decarbonisation in the North West and a key player in leading the Green Industrial Revolution. Projects, including HyNet, Protos and others will ensure Ellesmere Port is at the forefront of trailblazing green energy and decarbonisation technology.

Over the next 20 years ORIGIN aims to protect existing jobs, and create thousands of new green jobs, growing the economy with over 150 new businesses creating employment for over 10,000 people by 2040.

Cheshire Rural Touring Arts, a partnership between Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire East Council has launched the new Spring 2024 artistic programme taking place at various community venues across Cheshire.

Councillor Lisa Denson, Cabinet Member for A Fairer Future (Poverty, Public Health and Mental Health) said: “Cheshire Rural Touring Arts return this Spring with another full programme with something for everyone.

“From Shakespeare to Dickens, from Africa to Cornwall and from climate change to dance there are performances for all ages. Last season many shows sold out, so make sure to book your tickets before they’re gone.”

Performance details and online booking is available on the CRTA website: www.cheshireruraltouringarts.co.uk
Tickets: www.ticketsource.co.uk/cheshireruraltouringarts

The Spring programme includes the below show about climate change which is suitable for families.

Birdie by Mind The Gap

Tuesday 18 June 1.30pm - Neston Library, CH64 6QE
Wednesday 19 June 1.30pm - St Mary’s Creative Space, CH1 2DW

Mind The Gap present their show Birdie, a fun and poignant adventure that blends choreography and original music to tell a powerful and accessible story about climate change for families. Traveling in a mesmerising upcycled mobile home, characters Homie and Birdie navigate a world filled with plastics and pollution on a journey towards freedom and hope. Described by an audience member and teacher as “a very beautiful and visual demonstration of what we can do to help the planet”. Post-show, the audiences are invited to create their climate action protest signs.
This accessible show is suitable for ages 5-11 and their families.

The Council is working alongside neighbouring authorities and other key partners to develop a Cheshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Help us understand how nature matters to you and what actions you think could be taken to help wildlife across Cheshire.

We want to develop a blueprint to help wildlife thrive, improve our ecological network, but also target investment in nature where it could help us adapt to Climate Change and improve the places we live, work and play.

Please follow the link to the website below to share your views and help us develop solutions for a Wilder Cheshire over the next 10 years.

Working together for a Wilder Cheshire and Warrington | Cheshire West and Chester Council