We will ensure Sandwell Council is carbon neutral by 2030, delivering our Climate Change Strategy and investing in a greener fleet and energy

Sandwell has a long and proud industrial heritage and, although the borough has suffered the scars associated with the loss of heavy manufacturing industries, we can still be proud of our 14 Green Flag awards for Parks and open spaces, more than twice that of some neighbouring local authorities.

We aim to create even more going forward, and add the inclusion of re-wilding areas to encourage diversification and pollination. We will also expand the number of cycle paths and walkways, to enable people to travel more easily and exercise at the same time.

But there is much more to do in order to meet our Climate Change targets. To meet our Net Zero by 2030 for council functions, we have to start NOW.

We are introducing energy efficient lighting and solar panels to our buildings and over the next year we will be looking to convert the remaining 30% of our street lighting to more energy-efficient LED bulbs.

We aim to convert the council’s vehicles to electric or hybrid vehicles by 2030 but acknowledge the difficulties with the waste service fleet which is owned by a contractor. We are rolling out 74 new kerbside electric vehicle charging points in the borough and will be looking for additional charging points in car parks.

However, we recognise the massive challenge presented by upgrading the council’s building stock and schools. These will require major government investment and, although they have acknowledged the problem, so far there is no clear timetable about what and when funding will be available.

We will carry out a campaign to encourage people to recycle more, including using the the recycling of food waste.

We are currently carrying out an environmental audit, following which we will produce plans aimed at planting 10,000 trees in the borough by 2030.