Climate Action Plan 2025-2028

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Foreword

By Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe
Leader of City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council

Bradford Council is taking a leading role in the transition to a low carbon future.

The 2025-2028 Climate Action Plan is founded upon an ambitious yet realistic ‘Future Ready Pathway’ towards net zero, which will be the catalyst for innovation, clean growth and exciting employment opportunities across the Bradford District, whilst also helping us to protect and enhance nature.

Following the groundbreaking impact of Bradford District’s Clean Air Zone on air quality and public health, the Council is now driving forward major sustainability projects in infrastructure, industry and innovation. Projects attracting investment include Bradford City Centre Walking and Cycling Improvements scheme, Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen, Mass Transit Tram System, Southern Gateway and Rail Station, Bradford’s Industrial Decarbonisation Prospectus, and City Village. Such initiatives will stimulate demand for new ‘green’ skills, technology and talent, leading to a better quality of life within healthier, more socially inclusive and better-connected communities.

From wild moorlands to managed parkland, Bradford District enjoys a rich and diverse landscape, which is home to a variety of wildlife habitats and nationally significant biodiversity.

Through the designation of Bradford’s very own National Nature Reserve, stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife will be protected and restored. Not only do these green spaces play a crucial role in conserving biodiversity and storing carbon, but they are an important factor in what makes the district an attractive place to live and work.

We recognise our role in leading and facilitating climate action, working collaboratively with businesses, communities and partner organisations to accelerate our progress towards net zero whilst at the same time attracting investment into new technologies and industries.

As a major employer of the district, the Council will continue to decarbonise its own operations, embed sustainability across all its services and utilise its influence to enable the district to become more sustainable.

The Council will continue to support communities, schools and businesses to become more resilient and to adapt to extreme or adverse weather whilst ensuring everyone is equally and fairly represented.

Individually and collectively, we all have a role to inspire, encourage and take positive and progressive climate action, which in turn will create a cleaner, healthier and more prosperous district for everyone.

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Vision

A sustainable, healthy, vibrant, and resilient district, ready to seize opportunities and work together to overcome the challenges of a changing climate.

Towards a low carbon Bradford District.

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Key Highlights

Clean Air Zone

Bradford District’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) has improved air quality and health outcomes whilst also reducing costs to the NHS and generating income for sustainability projects such as the Clean Air Schools Programme.

Fleet Transformation

The district is rapidly transitioning to electric vehicles across many vehicle types, from cars, to vans, HGVs and buses. Clean Air Zone (CAZ) grants have helped to transform Bradford District’s taxi fleet which is now one of the cleanest in the UK.

Industrial Decarbonisation

Manufacturers, key partners and the Council are working together to transform local industry into a low carbon, future-proofed sector. The decarbonisation of industry has the potential to generate between £0.5 – £1.2 billion in inward investment, and up to 1000 good jobs.

Low Carbon Heat

The Bradford Energy Network (BEN) - powered primarily by Air Source Heat Pumps - will provide lowcarbon heat to key buildings in and around the city centre including Bradford’s City Hall - the first Grade 1 Listed building to connect to a heat network in the country. The network will reduce GHG emissions, improve air quality and enhance local energy security.

Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen

Currently the only planned hydrogen production scheme in West Yorkshire and expected to be one of the country’s biggest sites, this facility will begin production of up to 12.5 tonnes of green hydrogen per day early in 2027.

National Nature Reserve

The newly designated “Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve” is the first of its kind in West Yorkshire. Approximately 90% of the area comprises UK priority habitats, including peat bogs, heathlands, and wetlands. Endangered wildlife such adders and curlews will benefit from greater protections and better-connected habitats. Just one example of how we are protecting and enhancing nature.

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Summary: Mitigation and Adaptation Actions

1 Transforming Travel and Transport

• Mass Transit, Rail stations and connectivity
• Bus franchising
• Develop Bradford District Transport Strategy
• Cycling and Walking Infrastructure
• E-Bike Share scheme
• Transition to low emissions vehicles - EV Charging and Low Carbon Hydrogen
• Clean Air Zone
• Deliver and utilise Local Plan

2 Increasing Renewable Energy and Fuels

• Low Carbon Hydrogen production
• Bradford Energy Network connections
• Investigate Biomethane production from food waste
• Support renewable energy generation (for example, Solar, Wind)
• Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP)
• Policy Development

3 Decarbonising Industry

• Industrial decarbonisation leadership via Bradford Manufacturing Futures (BMF)
• Promote Bradford Industrial Decarbonisation Prospectus
• Develop BMF training opportunities
• Develop BMF Sustainability Leaders of the Future programme

4 Growing a Sustainable and Inclusive Economy

• Sustainable business support
• Low carbon and nature friendly procurement
• City Village and Southern Gateway development
• Create sustainability benchmark for UK Cities of Culture
• Pilot Ecosia search engine
• Explore Carbon Assessment, Budgeting and Carbon Accounting - including Scope 3
• Explore possibility of EV salary sacrifice scheme at Bradford Council

5 Providing Warm and Comfortable Buildings

• City Hall, and partners’ buildings, to connect to Bradford Energy Network
• Development of Energy Efficiency ‘One Stop Shop’
• Terraced street Internal Insulation pilot
• Social Housing to be minimum of EPC grade ‘C’ by 2030
• Substantial housing retrofit schemes
• Promote energy efficiency grants and advice
• Local Plan and Planning Policy

6 Enabling Community Climate Action

• Community Climate Fund (from BITC) to deliver significant funding and in-kind support
• Develop Bradford Council Climate Action Network (BCCAN) for employees
• Awareness raising campaigns
• Share opportunities, funding and best practice
• Develop platforms for regular and meaningful ‘Community Conversations’

7 Managing Land and Nature

• Explore Habitat Bank development
• Nature Based Solutions (for example, Slow the flow)
• Sustainable landscape and building design
• White Rose Forest development
• Advocate for a sustainable food system
• Establish ‘National Nature Reserve’
• Increase number of Local Nature Reserves
• Improve community, business and infrastructure resilience to flooding and heat
• Deliver a Local Plan for Bradford District

8 Reducing Consumption and Waste

• Procurement influence on supply chains
• Develop and implement single-use plastic policy
• Public education on food waste and collection
• Promote Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle
• Introduce Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)
• Prioritise reduction of food waste
• Assess feasibility of generating renewable energy from food waste
• Promote business support on circular economy and sustainable business practices.

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Introduction

The Challenge

Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation and the breakdown of waste are raising greenhouse gas (GHG) levels in the atmosphere, contributing to a temperature rise of over 1°C above pre-industrial levels. As a result of this global temperature rise, recent years have seen Bradford District and the UK more broadly, experience some of the warmest and wettest months on record, with extreme weather events such as heat waves and storms resulting in droughts, wildfires, damage to crops, and frequent floodin gwith devastating consequences to lives, health, economy and the natural world.

Bradford’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come predominantly from energy use in domestic buildings (31%), Transport (25%), Industry (18%) and commercial buildings (14%). Other sources include the public sector, waste, agriculture and land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF).

The Response

The United Kingdom is aiming to limit global warming to “well below 2°C and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C” in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement.

In 2024, the UK government announced a new ambitious target of reducing emissions by 81% by 2035.

In Bradford District, the Council declared a “Climate Emergency” in 2019, a “Biodiversity Emergency” four years later and committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions for the District by 2038, with ‘significant progress’ by 2030.

The Plan

Bradford District’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) 2025-28 outlines actions to set the district on a path to achieving net zero, starting with an emissions baseline and aligning strategies at national, regional, and local levels.

The plan aims to address the urgent challenges posed by “human-caused” climate change and biodiversity loss, and to help people, businesses and the Council itself to become more resilient to the realities of an already changing climate.

It includes actions across eight key priority areas, with examples of local best practice, governance strategies, and impact measurement. The plan will help us to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, protect and enhance nature, strengthen our climate resilience and promote sustainable behaviours and policies across all areas of life in our district.

Whilst it is impossible to note every positive action or initiative, the plan recognises the ongoing and innovative efforts being made by residents, communities, businesses and organisations across the entire district.

The Vision: Net Zero Bradford District

With a mix of youth, energy, wisdom, heritage and diversity on our side, an innovative, hard-working spirit and a wealth of natural and community assets, Bradford District has all the right ingredients to tackle the challenge of climate change and seize all the opportunities that our journey to a net zero future presents.

By addressing climate change collaboratively, Bradford District will reduce emissions, protect and enhance nature, and deliver co-benefits such as improved health and sustainable economic growth.

A net zero Bradford will feature low-carbon industries, energy-efficient homes, green infrastructure, and vibrant, connected communities adapting to climate change and ensuring fairness for current and future generations.

The Principles

Fundamental to Bradford District’s approach to achieving our vision are six key principles:

1. Equity
2. Inclusion
3. Just Transition
4. Climate Justice
5. Intergenerational fairness
6. Collaboration

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The Principles

1. Equity

Equity is recognising that some people or groups require more time, support or resources to become “equal”. The Intergovernmental Panel on climate change (IPCC) highlights the importance of equity and inclusion in climate action, stating that “Actions that prioritise equity, climate justice, social justice and inclusion lead to more sustainable outcomes, co-benefits, reduce trade-offs, support transformative change and advance climate resilient development.

2. Inclusion

Through the principle of inclusion, this plan recognises that both the effects of and actions to slow climate change are often unfair and impact groups differently. As such, it is crucial to include communities in decision-making, including marginalised or deprived groups, to ensure that our actions are fair and representative.

3. Just Transition

Through the just transition principle, this plan aims to ensure that climate actions not only avoid negative impacts on Bradford District’s residents and businesses, but rather that the transition to net zero becomes an opportunity to transition workers from insecure high-emissions jobs to future-proofed livelihoods, in an economy which is fair and inclusive, ensuring that no one is left behind.

4. Climate Justice

Through the principle of climate justice, the Council recognises that climate change disproportionately affects those communities who have contributed the least to it and commits to taking climate action in a way that does not make this existing inequality even worse.

5. Intergenerational fairness

Intergenerational fairness aims to ensure that current actions and policies do not unduly harm future generations, while also ensuring that current generations have the opportunity to thrive.

6. Collaboration

The Council recognises the vital importance of collaboration between all key stakeholders in the district, including residents and communities, to achieve our shared goal of creating a more sustainable, low carbon, resilient and prosperous future for all.

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The Co-benefits of Climate Action

The Intergovernmental Panel on climate change (IPCC) defines co-benefits as being “the positive effects that a policy or measure aimed at one objective might have on other objectives.”

Taking action on climate change and protecting nature have many co-benefits – from improving our health and attracting investment, to increasing our food and fuel security and lowering household energy bills. The table shows just some of the multiple co-benefits that we will experience on our journey to a net zero and biodiverse Bradford District.

Co-benefits are crucial for achieving a holistic and integrated approach to achieving net zero, ensuring that the journey towards sustainability delivers comprehensive and long-lasting improvements for people, the economy, and the planet.

• Social Mobility
• Investment and Job Creation
• Skills Development
• Equity and Inclusion
• Access to Nature
• Reduced Costs
• Better health and Wellbeing
• Improved Air Quality
• Sustainable and Cohesive Communities

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Emissions baselines for Bradford District

To enable Bradford District to effectively mitigate climate change and monitor progress against the district’s emissions reduction targets, the Council commissioned air quality and emissions specialists to quantify and analyse baseline data for the district.

As the modelling work develops, emission reduction pathways will be used to inform climate action priorities, which will continue to align with and inform local, regional and national policy, whilst also supporting improvements in service delivery around mitigation, adaptation and resilience.

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

Emissions in Bradford are dominated by fuel use (for example, gas boilers, petrol/diesel vehicles, industry), with non-fuel emissions (for example, from waste, livestock) only making up around 14% of the total. Whilst aviation emissions are not included in the Bradford District GHG emissions baseline or ‘Future Ready Pathway’, the UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC) has stated that emissions from flights would need to start decreasing over the rest of this decade if the UK is to meet its 2050 net zero target.

GHG emissions Sectoral Summary

• Waste: Emissions from waste account for 3.4% of total emissions. It excludes the full product life cycle, so reducing resource overuse remains essential.
• Commercial: Emissions from commercial buildings are estimated to account for roughly 14% of GHG emissions
• Transport: Transport is the second largest emitter in Bradford District at around 25%. Of this, 96% is from road transport.
• Agriculture: A small contributor to overall emissions similar to waste at 3.4%. 80% of the emissions are from livestock (cows, sheep etc), 12% from soils, and the remaining 8% from fuel use (for example, for agricultural machinery).
• Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF): The sector is almost balanced between emissions and removals, 0.2% resulting in net emissions of only 0.2% of the total area-wide emissions. The key sources of emissions are from peatland and settlements.
• Domestic: Energy use in domestic buildings accounts for the largest portion of the total, at around 31%. This is mainly due to gas consumption which accounts for around 75% of emissions.
• Industry: Industry is a significant contributor to GHG emissions in Bradford, accounting for around 18% of the total.
• Public Sector: Emissions from public sector accounts for around 5%.

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Trend

Overall, total GHG emissions in Bradford decreased by around 47% between 2005 and 2022. By comparison, in both England the UK, emissions decreased by 43%.

The biggest relative decrease in Bradford can be seen in the Waste sector with 74%, followed by the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector with 67%. The biggest absolute decrease can be seen in the Domestic sector with 605 kt CO2e (48%), followed by industry with 360 kt CO2e (52%).

The most significant factor in supporting GHG emissions reductions in the Domestic and Industry categories since 2005 has been that the electricity generation in the UK has moved away from burning coal and gas towards generating electricity from clean renewable sources – such as wind and solar.

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Our pathway to Net Zero

To create a holistic science-based pathway to net zero, Bradford Council commissioned emissions and air quality experts to help answer the following questions:

1. What might emissions look like in Bradford if no further mitigation action is taken locally, regionally, or nationally?
2. What is a realistic pathway for Bradford to achieve its net zero ambitions, and what level of emissions reduction is achievable under this scenario?
3. What are the wider social, environmental, and economic co-benefits associated with implementing the net zero pathway in Bradford?
4. How might changes in emissions from the net zero pathway affect air quality across Bradford?

To address the first two questions, two emissions reduction pathways have been modelled for Bradford District. This includes a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, where no additional local, regional, or national mitigation efforts beyond what has already been realised are included, and a net zero ‘Future Ready’ scenario, which includes cross-sectoral local mitigation efforts.

Business as Usual…

The BAU scenario provides the baseline for the net zero modelling. The net zero scenario aims to achieve deep emissions reductions, making significant progress to net zero by 2030 and 2038, respectively, within the realms of technological, financial, and practical feasibility. The BAU scenario is intended to show the changes that could occur if no additional local, regional, or national action were taken to mitigate GHG emissions in Bradford, beyond the impact of key drivers such as national-level economic and demographic trends, along with projected energy prices and weather changes.

The BAU scenario

According to our “Future Ready Pathway” report, if the district were to follow the Business as Usual (BAU) scenario, Bradford’s Paris Agreement-aligned carbon budget (through to the year 2100) would be used up as early as 2026.

The Costs of Climate Inaction

Climate inaction imposes substantial and escalating costs on UK local authorities and the communities they serve. These costs affect a wide range of stakeholders, including residents who face increased health risks and housing instability, local businesses that are vulnerable to infrastructure disruptions and economic losses, and local government leaders and service providers who must manage shrinking budgets while responding to more frequent and severe climate-related events.

Without effective mitigation and adaptation strategies, councils risk rising financial and emergency response costs, long-term infrastructure damage, and growing pressure on health and social care systems, especially in deprived communities already struggling with structural inequalities. Studies estimate global GDP reductions ranging from 10–45% to up to 65%, with per capita income losses reaching 70% in worst-case scenarios if we do not limit global warming.

Well-planned, equitable and inclusive climate action can lift Bradford District’s residents out of poverty, help close the wealth gap and provide opportunities for upskilling, sustainable growth and meaningful community engagement. However, failing to address climate change can significantly exacerbate the existing socio-economic vulnerabilities faced by already disadvantaged populations in the district. The intersection of financial barriers, health impacts, and reduced local government budgets further worsen the challenges of climate adaptation, highlighting a critical need for informed policy-making that is equitable and inclusive.

The ‘Future Ready Pathway’

The Future-Ready Pathway represents a technically robust and realistic trajectory towards Bradford District’s 2038 climate target. Designed to be ambitious yet feasible, this scenario combines cost-effective interventions with strategic co-benefits, grounded in Bradford District’s local strengths and challenges. This scenario reflects a ‘no regrets’ approach and ‘best value’ pathway that simultaneously reduces emissions, builds local resilience, and unlocks green investment.

After the realisation of all mitigation measures detailed in the Future Ready Pathway report, emissions in Bradford District would be reduced by 40% by 2030 and 82% by 2038 compared to the 2022 baseline. While not reaching zero emissions in the target year, this is a very ambitious emissions reduction, which is aligned with broader net-zero efforts in the West Yorkshire region. This level of emissions reduction was deemed ambitious but feasible with significant financial, technological, and behaviour change commitments. Larger emissions reductions could be achieved by 2038 through more ambitious fuel switching measures in buildings and industrial processes. Importantly, this pathway recognises the need to ensure that our efforts to reach net zero do not create greater social inequality, and that the transition is inclusive – leaving nobody behind.

The full Emissions Reduction Report – containing the Future Ready Pathway - and including recommended targets across all priority areas, can be found on Bradford Council’s Sustainability webpages.

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Regional alignment and local planning

Climate and Environment Plan 2025-28 - West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA)

The Bradford District Climate Action Plan will broadly align with and support the delivery of this regional plan’s mission to “tackle the climate and environment emergency and become net zero in an equitable and inclusive way”. Bradford’s Climate Action Plan priority areas are more numerous but encompass all five objectives from within the West Yorkshire plan:

1. Secure, cost effective, clean energy for all
2. Reliable, affordable, integrated zero-emission transport
3. Climate-resilient and nature-rich region
4. Warm, comfortable, low-carbon homes
5. Decarbonised business, good green jobs and a skilled workforce

Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission (YHCC)

In addition, actions and principles within the Bradford District’s plan address and incorporate the ‘Four Pillars of Climate Action’ from the YHCC’s Climate Action Plan Update 2024 which focus on:

“Rapid emissions reduction, climate adaptation and resilience, nature restoration and a just transition”. As part of our commitment to this, Bradford Council plans to become a signatory of the Y&HCC Climate Action Pledge.

Local Plan

The Council is leading on delivering a new Local Plan for the district. The Local Plan plays an important role in tackling climate change requiring new development to incorporate both mitigation and adaptation measures, whether it is through the location of development, for example, near sustainable transport infrastructure, services and facilities, away from areas of flood risk or protected wildlife sites, or through the incorporation of specific measures relating to energy efficiency, building design, biodiversity enhancement or green and blue infrastructure.

District Plan

The actions within this CAP support with delivery of the priorities within Bradford’s District Plan, which has sustainability as a significant thread throughout.

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Priority Areas and Actions

Priority 1: Transforming Travel and Transport

Road transport accounts for almost a third of emissions in West Yorkshire and remains the largest emitting sector in the UK. Around 45,000 people commute daily between Bradford and Leeds, with 74% travelling by car, contributing to poor air quality and health issues.

Public health bodies emphasise that reducing greenhouse gas emissions often benefits health, as demonstrated by Bradford District’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ), launched in 2022, which has led to significant health improvements, reducing nitrogen dioxide levels and NHS cost savings relating to respiratory and cardiovascular issues. One in five people live in the UK’s most deprived areas, where declining bus access exacerbates inequalities in employment and education. A reliable, affordable bus network can help to reduce these disparities.

In Bradford District, transport accounts for 24% of energy use, of which 79% are petrol or diesel vehicles. As fossil-fuel combustion engines are highly emissions-intensive, decarbonising transport is essential. While a shift from private cars to public transport and active travel is needed, increasing the use of Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs) is also crucial. ULEV adoption has grown, with battery electric vehicles now comprising 50% of the ULEV market in Bradford.

In Bradford, where over 65% of adults are overweight or obese and cardiovascular disease mortality is high, promoting more active forms of travel is especially important. Shifting to non-motorised modes of transport for those who are able, such as walking, wheeling and cycling, can help reduce these health risks by encouraging regular physical activity, ultimately improving overall health and well-being whilst also reducing the costs of travel.

The West Yorkshire Transport Strategy 2040 (PDF) aims to enhance travel in West Yorkshire, focusing on increasing public transport and active travel, with midpoint targets of a 25% increase in bus trips, 75% more rail trips, and 300% more bicycle trips by 2027.

In line with this vision, Bradford Council and partners continue to roll out progressive sustainable transport infrastructure and behavioural change schemes to reduce emissions by shifting more trips onto public transport, walking, cycling and wheeling, which are accessible, affordable, inclusive and improve public health.

Key Travel and Transport initiatives include:

1. Public Transport Infrastructure

• With construction commencing in 2028 and in operation by the early 2030s, Phase One of a new, integrated low-emission Mass Transit Tram system will link Bradford and Leeds city centres via communities and businesses to improve transport connectivity, whilst creating opportunities for regeneration and sustainable growth.
• Located to the south of Bradford city centre, a new £2 billion Southern Gateway through rail station could link the tram system with Bradford Forster Square Station. Commencing in 2028, this investment will provide low-carbon homes and employment growth.
• A new platform at Bradford Forster Square station will be completed by mid-2025 and facilitate additional daily services between Bradford and London. To reach our Future Ready Pathway goal, 13.9% of car journeys should shift to rail travel by 2038.
• As part of the wider West Yorkshire Franchising Programme to improve service levels, Bradford District buses will be franchised by By 2036,it is expected that West Yorkshire’s bus fleet will be zero emissions, powered by electricity or green hydrogen. Our Future Ready Pathway indicates that 9% of vehicle kilometres (vkm) would need to shift from car travel to bus travel by 2038.

2. Active Travel

• Further expansion of walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure, including the Bradford Leeds Cycle Superhighway, Canal Road Cycleway/Greenway, Bradford City Centre Walking and Cycling Improvement scheme will help to reduce emissions and improve Segregated lanes and Greenways aim to encourage cycling, with plans for an E-bike Share scheme to launch in 2026, which will enhance tourism, health, and the local economy.
• Combining new infrastructure with community and behavioural programmes, such as Social Prescribing, School Streets, Active Travel Neighbourhoods and Active Travel Hubs increases active travel and improved health
• The Future Ready Pathway indicates that by 2030, at least 2% of vehicle kilometres (vkm) need to switch from car journeys to cycling, with this figure rising further to 6% by 2038.

3. Low Emission Vehicles

• Through West Yorkshire’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) programme, on-street public charging points will be installed in over 200 locations across Bradford District by Our emissions reduction pathway suggests that by 2038, 82% of car journeys would need to be made via electric vehicles: ”Bradford Council will contribute to the development of a “West Yorkshire Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy”.
• Both the Council and local businesses are trialling low-emission vehicles, such as an electric delivery truck for a local builders’ merchant, a zeroemission library van, an electric gritter and refuse trucks.
• Car journeys can be reduced through increases in car sharing of 6.5% >in 2030 and 11.7% by 2038 – helping us to meet our Net Zero ambitions.
• Following the Clean Air Zone grant programme, 99% of Bradford’s licensed taxi fleet is now either electric hybrid or dedicated electric.

4. Policy Development

• The new Bradford District Local Plan will include transport policies that support a sustainable, integrated transport system.
• The Council’s new Bradford District Transport Strategy will align with West Yorkshire’s emerging Local Transport Plan which aims to guide regional investment decisions.
• The Council will also develop a Zero Emissions Vehicle Plan to aid the transition to greener, cleaner and more efficient modes of transport.
• The Council will review it’s staff Travel Plan to encourage sustainable commuting habits, with consideration for a new Electric Vehicle (EV) salary sacrifice scheme.
• The Council will utilise the Future Ready Pathway’s recommendations on travel and transport to develop further mechanisms and initiatives to reduce emissions, improve air quality, create better transport connectivity, reduce costs and improve health

Priority 2: Increasing Renewable Energy and Fuels

To meet net zero targets, Bradford aims to switch all energy sources to renewable alternatives, leveraging local renewable installations like domestic solar panels and large-scale projects such as solar farms or wind farms. This effort aligns with the UK government’s goal of achieving 95% clean power by 2030 under the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan (PDF).

Bradford Council, in collaboration with partners, is driving innovation in renewable energy and clean fuels to attract investment, create skilled jobs, and ensure residents and businesses have access to secure, low-carbon energy sources.

The Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) for Bradford and West Yorkshire districts identifies investment opportunities and actions for a whole net-zero energy system across power, heat, transport, and storage.

Major renewable energy projects being developed within the district include:

1. Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen Facility

West Yorkshire’s 2025-28 Climate and Environment Strategy estimates that 20% of industrial energy demand will be met by hydrogen. Currently, the only planned hydrogen production scheme in West Yorkshire and expected to be one of the country’s biggest sites, this facility will produce 12.5 tonnes of hydrogen daily by 2027, sufficient to fuel the equivalent of 800 diesel buses. Located at the old Birkshall Gas Works, it will support industry, aviation, and transport as a diesel alternative, generating up to £120m to the local economy and up to 125 jobs.

2. District Heat Network

Bradford Council is working with partners to further develop the Bradford Energy Network (BEN) which is a £70million low emission centralised heat system, based in the city centre and distributing energy via pipes, utilising one of the UK’s largest air-source heat pump networks. The Council is on track to connect City Hall to the network. St George's Hall and the Alhambra may be added at a later stage. The University of Bradford, Bradford College and the Law Courts are also joining as part of their own net-zero commitments.

3. Other renewable initiatives

• Bradford Council emissions. Through building energy optimisation, low-carbon heating and LED lighting, the Council’s emissions have reduced by 75% since 2009/10, exceeding the annual 10% reduction target over the last five A new low-carbon procurement approach will include Scope 3 emissions monitoring and reduction.
• Solar PV Arrays have been installed on 11 council buildings so far, with two further installations approved, generating electricity and revenue. Additional solar projects are being explored on Council-owned land, including solar canopies over car parks, with 40% capability for self-sufficiency. The district’s Future Ready Pathway assumes that by 2038, 20% of domestic buildings, and 30% of commercial and public sector buildings, will need to have Solar PV arrays if we are to meet our emissions reduction target.
• To be finalised in 2025, the Smart Streetlighting LED Project has replaced 59,000 streetlights, reducing annual power consumption by 65% and expected carbon emissions of 6,000 tonnes, whilst delivering £3.5m in social value investment in apprenticeships, training, local employment and supply chains.
• Biomethane The Council is exploring the feasibility of renewable fuel generation through the development of an anaerobic digestion facility in Bradford. If constructed, this plant would utilise domestic and commercial food waste and support the delivery of a new statutory responsibility to collect food waste from April 2026.

4. Policy Development

The new Local Plan for Bradford District will include policies for advocating the energy hierarchy in new development design, for example, smart technology, fabric energy efficiency, and on-site renewable energy.

Priority 3: Decarbonising Industry

Bradford hosts over 16,000 businesses, generating a combined turnover of £35 billion. Manufacturing employs 24,000 people, which accounts for 12% of district jobs, making Bradford the UK’s 4th largest city for manufacturing employment.

However, manufacturing is also responsible for 18% of Bradford’s total GHG emissions, and faces challenges from rising energy costs, largely due to fossil-fuelgenerated heat. Industrial decarbonisation offers a transformational opportunity which would yield longterm cost savings and secure competitive advantage.

Developed and led by the Council, Bradford Manufacturing Futures (BMF) was established as a cross-sector partnership which included nine local organisations, including businesses and the University of Bradford.

It is one of 13 Local Industrial Decarbonisation Plan (LIDP) projects which have been funded by Innovate UK and will conclude in 2025.

The partnership continues to provide a collaborative platform to share the responsibility and knowledge to support the transition to renewable energy sources for over 30 manufacturers in some of the highest emitting sectors, including chemicals, food, basic metals, mineral products and metal fabrication.

The project aims to cut manufacturing emissions by 90% by 2038 as outlined in the strategic Decarbonisation Roadmap and Investment Prospectus and identifies investment opportunities in renewable energy and low-carbon technologies, such as heat pumps, solar PV, wind, hydrogen, and biomethane. These efforts are expected to protect 24,000 jobs and create further employment growth for the district.

Our Future Ready Pathway suggests that to reach our district’s emissions reduction target of 82% by 2038, fuel-switching in industry needs to take place as rapidly as possible, resulting in a 2038 fuel mix of 38% grid electricity, 35% solar, 8% wind, 10% low-carbon hydrogen, and just 10% natural gas.

Key actions and future outputs include:

1. Emissions analysis, stakeholder engagement, workshops and site surveys.
2. Approach to decarbonisation which includes Energy and Resource Efficiency, Fuel Switching and Clean Growth, along with exploring innovations like carbon capture and heat repurposing.
3. The development of 5 geographical Clean Growth Hubs representing 50 Bradford-based manufacturers.
4. Development of decarbonisation plans for individual manufacturers.
5. Continued development of Bradford Manufacturing Futures (BMF) to grow membership, champion the manufacturing sector and support the delivery of the Local Industrial Decarbonisation Prospectus.
6. Delivery of industry-focused training events, delivered by experts to equip teams with the latest knowledge and skills, support shared learning and build knowledge capacity.
7. Development of BMF’s Sustainability Leaders of the Future programme to attract and inspire the next generation of leaders into manufacturing.
8. Share best practice to support the development of industrial clusters across West Yorkshire.

As part of its broader renewable energy strategy, the Council will continue to attract investment, ensuring low-cost, renewable energy access to secure the future of Bradford District’s manufacturing sector while reducing emissions.

Priority 4: Growing a Sustainable and Inclusive Economy

Bradford is committed to fostering a sustainable and Sustainable Business inclusive economy that enhances well-being, supports Increasingly, Bradford District’s businesses are understanding the value of businesses, protects nature, improves food security and embedding sustainability into their operations. Investing in energy-efficiency measures and transitioning to renewable energy sources can realise cost attracts skills for long-term success.

• England’s low-carbon economy employed 185,000 workers in 2018 and is projected to rise to 1.18 million by 2050, however a skills gap Key Green Technology and Services (GTS) areas in Bradford include wind, alternative fuels, building technologies, and geothermal energy, accounting for 63% of activity.
• Analysis from the Confederation of British Industry found that the net zero sector is growing three times faster than the overall UK economy, with a 10% growth reported in 2024.
• The West Yorkshire Green Economy Report 2024 values the region’s Green Technologies and Services sector at £8.1 billion and is expected to grow 37% by 2026.
• Over 71,000 green jobs could be created in West Yorkshire by 2050, with Bradford forecasting 12.5% growth in green sector jobs by 2025/26.
• It is estimated that 7,787 direct ‘green’ jobs will be required in Bradford by 2030 and will grow to 12,331 by 2050. This doesn’t include employment in land and nature.

West Yorkshire’s productivity is 14% below the national average, with significant deprivation in some areas. Reports highlight that sustainable, inclusive growth can boost productivity, reduce waste, and support health by creating liveable cities and improving nature access. Clean technologies concentrated in less productive areas offer environmental and economic benefits while addressing inequalities.

Sustainable Business

Increasingly, Bradford District’s businesses are understanding the value of embedding sustainability into their operations. Investing in energy-efficiency measures and transitioning to renewable energy sources can realise cost savings and reduce a company’s carbon footprint which leads to new market access, investor confidence, new skills, talent and innovation opportunities, creating a competitive advantage.

Through Invest in Bradford and collaborations with West Yorkshire Combined Authority , the Business Improvement Districts (BID) of Bradford, Keighley and Ilkley, West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, University of Bradford,

Bradford Manufacturing Futures, key employers, the education sector and Bradford’s Skills House, the Council is in a strong position to promote sustainable business and training.

To illustrate Bradford’s position as a leader in sustainable growth and innovation, successful case studies include:

• Bradford College. Investment in solar energy training bays and education in ‘green’ building at the College’s Green Skills Centre will help to close the skills gaps in renewable energy systems, technology, transport and sustainable construction.
• Skills House. Skills for Work now includes Green Skills training courses
• Darley Street Market opened in summer 2025, is an energy-efficient hub for food, entertainment and It will deliver £32 million in economic benefits over 10 years and create 400 jobs, including apprenticeships. The building features sustainable technology including heat pumps, solar panels, rainwater capture and sustainable planting for biodiversity.
• Bradford City Village is a 25-hectare regeneration project which aims to create a green, sustainable neighbourhood with up to 1,000 homes in a well-connected, pedestrian-friendly area, with dedicated cycle lanes and reduced car reliance. The design will support local living and business
• Repurposing Bradford’s heritage. As a vibrant cultural and retail hub, Salts Mill is just one successful example of Bradford’s history in re-purposing former mills to sustain community wealth

Key actions to Grow a Sustainable and Inclusive Economy include:

• Further develop sustainable procurement practices at Bradford Council to embed carbon emission measurement (Scope 1,2 and 3) and reduction, social value, circular economy and Fairtrade principles within all
• Explore Carbon Assessment, Accounting and Budgeting possibilities for use across the Council.
• Pilot sustainable initiatives such as Ecosia as the default search engine on Council devices to support global tree planting.
• Implementation of West Yorkshire Pension Fund’s sustainable investment plans and net zero target.
• Promote sustainable economy related opportunities, support, funding, advice and information to businesses in the district.
• Embed sustainable development policies into the new Local Plan to ensure ‘brownfield first’ and maximise the density of new developments to reduce land-take and habitat loss.
• Create a benchmark on sustainability for future UK Cities of Culture
• Deliver a new Bradford District 2035: Regeneration and Growth Plan for the district which sets out an economic pathway towards sustainable inclusive growth and shared Positioning Bradford at the forefront of green energy production, with revitalised public spaces, and a sustainable, nature-rich environment for residents and visitors to enjoy.
• Support the continued development of green skills and green careers via the Skills House Sector Boards
• Support the delivery of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Green Economy Cluster Action Plan.

Sustainable Food:

There are a multitude of challenges relating to our food system which puts a stress on the climate and contributes negatively towards our ambition to reach net zero. Around 25% to 30% of global emissions from our food systems, and this rises to around one-third when we include all agricultural products.

Impacts include:

1. Increased greenhouse gas emissions: The global food system is overly reliant on fossil fuels for industrial farming, transportation, and food processing, as well as agricultural practices which are leading to deforestation. This reduces the planet’s capacity to absorb carbon emissions, making climate change worse.
2. Loss of Biodiversity: Degraded ecosystems from unsustainable farming practices can result in loss of biodiversity, weakening ecosystem resilience and a reduction in natural carbon (absorption and storage of carbon dioxide).
3. Food Waste and Inefficiency: A dysfunctional food system can cause large amounts of food wastage, which wastes the resources used in production and generates the Greenhouse Gas methane from decomposing waste in landfills. Globally over 30% of food is wasted contributing to around 10% of Greenhouse Gas Emissions. In Bradford alone, 265 tonnes of food is wasted in local markets, yet over 20% of the local population experience food insecurity.
4. Increased Use of Chemical Inputs: The overuse of fertilizers and pesticides can release nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, and pose further challenges on human health.
5. Reduced Climate Resilience: A fragile and broken food system is less adaptable to climate impacts like droughts, floods, and extreme weather events, further destabilising food security and environmental health.

The district's ‘Good Food Strategy’ (GFS) has four key outcome areas, with outcome 4 being to create a “Sustainable Food System for all”.

The Climate Action Plan reaffirms the importance of improving our food system and contributing towards the outcomes of the ‘Good Food Strategy’ through integrated leadership and prioritisation across the council. Examples of actions being undertaken to help make our food production and consumption more sustainable can be found below as well as within other relevant priority areas within the CAP:

• Pilot use of Sustainable Markets Charter at Darley Street Market to promote affordable, healthy and fresh food choices, celebrate the diversity of cultures in Bradford, promote locally and regionally grown produce, reduce packaging, phase out single use plastic, and reduce waste from the market.
• Grow to School – A circular economy in schools The project includes food growing delivery in schools through growing clubs and embedding food within the school curriculum.
• Through awareness raising, and through the work of the district’s Sustainable Food Partnership, we will help to increase the proportion of plant-based ingredients and proteins that are produced and consumed within the district.
• Public Health team to provide support and guidance to local stakeholders and organisations on diet, nutrition, data analytics, engagement, funding applications, or information on how to join the Sustainable Food Partnership.

Priority 5: Providing Warm and Comfortable Buildings

Improving energy efficiency in homes and workplaces is vital for reducing carbon emissions, alleviating fuel poverty, and adapting to climate change.

Housing in West Yorkshire produces 3.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually (30% of regional emissions), with 26% from Bradford’s domestic buildings. To reach net zero by 2038, almost 700,000 of the region’s one million homes need improved thermal efficiency, with over 650,000 requiring heat pumps. It is estimated that 26.7% of households in West Yorkshire live in fuel poverty, and up to 49% in some Bradford areas face fuel poverty due to rising energy costs and inefficient housing. Only 32% of Bradford homes meet the energy efficiency rating of EPC Band C or better, lagging behind regional and national averages. Most housing predates 1950, making retroffiting complex and costly. Just 0.1% of households heat their home using renewable energy, and 0.3% use a combination of renewable energy and another heating source.

Over the last ten years, the average annual heating cost was £814 per home in the Bradford postcode area compared to £652 nationally, equating to approximately 15% of the district’s households living in fuel poverty. It is estimated that with the right energy efficiency measures, heating costs could be reduced by 31.5% alleviating significant levels of fuel poverty, whilst reducing emissions.

In 2024, the Mayor of West Yorkshire pledged to retrofit all 650,000 social homes in West Yorkshire by 2038. This commitment forms part of an emerging 10-year plan for Home Energy West Yorkshire.

The Future Ready Pathway suggests that by 2038, approximately 50% of Bradford District homes that are currently on the gas network will need to switch to heat pumps. The district will also need to see rapid further uptake of LED lighting, reductions in household water usage, an uptake of retrofitting measures (such as insulation) and a “near complete transfer” from gas to electric in cooking (for example, Induction hobs replacing gas hobs).

A combination of grant schemes, advice, retrofit and energy efficiency measures will continue to drive Bradford District’s efforts to create energy efficient, low-carbon communities and reduce household energy costs and the health and economic impacts of extreme or adverse weather:

• Home Energy West Yorkshire offers low-interest loans, information on grants and advice for retrofitting, including the new ‘One Stop Shop’ to be launched in 2025, which will provide a trusted energy efficiency advice hub for residents.
• Schemes such as Warm Homes Healthy People Scheme provide energy assessments, free guidance and minor energy-saving measures for residents.
• West Yorkshire’s Solar Together scheme facilitated affordable solar panel installations with significant homeowner engagement.
• Government and Council-backed schemes, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, LAD 3, Great British Insulation Scheme, Warm Homes Fund and Housing Decarbonisation Fund, have supported insulation, heat pump installation, and energy upgrades for thousands of private and social housing units.
• Starting in 2025, the Council’s Warm Homes Local Grant scheme will deliver energy performance and low-carbon heating upgrades for low-income households in the district through ‘room in the roof’ insulation
• West Yorkshire’s Area Based Scheme (ABS) will address energy efficiency and retrofit across the region, with a focus on internal wall insulation, heating systems, and large-scale retrofits for Bradford to reduce energy bills and improve comfort.
• Social Housing providers such as Incommunities are committed to achieving a minimum EPC rating of ‘C’ for all their properties by 2030.
• Up to 5000 homes will be retrofitted as part of the Warm Homes: Social Housing scheme backed by investment from social housing providers in the district.

Future planning and policy development

• The £2bn Southern Gateway Regeneration project provides opportunities to build low-carbon homes and jobs on the back of major transport investment.
• Bradford City Village aims to create a green, sustainable neighbourhood with up to 1,000 gas-free homes in a well-connected, pedestrian-friendly area, bringing low-carbon design into the heart of Bradford.
• The new Local Plan will include policy on housing standards which support the Government’s Future Homes Standard to achieve high energy efficiency standards.

Priority 6: Enabling Community Climate Action

Achieving net zero relies heavily on societal and behavioural changes, with local communities playing a pivotal role in addressing climate change. Community-driven initiatives deliver environmental, social, and economic benefits while tackling inequalities tied to climate change impacts.

Often facilitated and supported through the Council’s Locality Neighbourhoods and Communities Area Teams, residents, faith groups, schools, and voluntary organisations collaborate on initiatives such as community growing, upcycling, tree planting, energy saving tips and litter picks, which align with national themes like No Mow May, Cycle September and Clean Air Day.

Local climate action successfully fosters social inclusion, reduces inequalities, and improves physical and mental wellbeing.

Key Programmes and Achievements include:

• The Clean Air Schools Programme (CASP) reduces air pollution around schools through education, anti-idling enforcement, and active travel initiatives. Over £400,000 was awarded to 48 schools for projects such as bike shelters and nature-inspired learning.
• West Yorkshire Mayor’s Climate Community Grant Scheme allocated almost £370,000 to fund diverse projects across Bradford District, including renewable energy for community buildings, promotion of active travel and enhancement of local nature reserves.
• Business in the Community’s (BiTC) Community Climate Fund. BiTC’s national target is to bring £100M of value across 25 places by 2030, with Bradford District as a pioneering location to support community groups and organisations. This initiative is supported by Bradford Council, key public sector partners, the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) and local businesses.
• A Critical Sustainability Stories project will help to support the embedding of the Good Food Strategy across communities through the mechanisms of art and culture – part of the legacy of our year as UK City of Culture 2025.
• Bradford’s Play Streets Scheme enables children to play safely in traffic-free areas, receiving over 20 applications since May 2024.
• We will expand the reach of the Council’s Climate Action Newsletter, which already engages nearly 4,600 subscribers, sharing stories, events, and funding opportunities. We aim to increased readership by a minimum of 100% by the end of 2026.
• Bradford Council will further develop its Climate Action Network (BCCAN) bringing colleagues together to advocate for sustainability within the Council and beyond through initiatives such as piloting carbon literacy training for officers and elected members, promoting sustainable commuting and recycling campaigns.
• Raising awareness around how citizens can use their voices to influence government policy and business practices in relation to the climate and nature emergencies.

Research and Future Plans - Inclusive Engagement Research and Community Conversations

• To support greater diversity in climate-related research and to support an inclusive and just approach to a net zero transition, the Council is collaborating with the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) and University of York to engage communities in climate conversations around sustainability and climate This bespoke approach involves the selection of two wards for intensive engagement, and the recruitment and development of Community Researchers to understand the barriers faced by communities in accessing mitigation and adaptation measures, as well as some of the impacts they already face from a changing climate. The outcomes of this work have formed part of the development of this plan.
• Working with partners and the education sector, the Council will explore how to support schools and colleges to address climate change and develop climate action plans in line with guidance from the Department for Education (DfE).
• The Council will also work with partners and youth ambassadors to plan a Climate Change Youth Conference during the life of the plan – harnessing the passion, knowledge and ideas of our young and diverse population to help us transition to net zero in an innovative and inclusive
• The Council will continue to support and signpost community climate action groups by sharing grant information, parallel service initiatives and
• The Bradford Schools menu swap project will see the Council’s Public Health team working with FixOurFood at University of York, along with children, families and schools to co-produce new school menus which are more sustainable and healthier.

"Community-led climate action fosters environmental stewardship, develops skills, and enhances social cohesion and economic resilience, positioning communities as key players in Bradford District’s Net Zero journey."

Priority 7: Managing Land and Nature

Land and nature are critical to our health, wellbeing, economy, and the fight against climate change. Restoring biodiversity, protecting natural spaces, and promoting sustainable land use are essential for a healthier, more resilient future.

Bradford District is fortunate to be home to extensive areas of beautiful countryside and green and blue spaces. This includes valuable peatland and moorland. Natural infrastructure and local restoration projects not only help land to absorb and lock up carbon, but they also play a valuable role in habitat creation to reverse biodiversity loss and reduce flood risk. However, no amount of nature-based solutions can substitute for the need to stop releasing GHGs to the atmosphere and to change the way we use the land.

The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries, with 60% of priority species lost since 1970. Habitat loss and intensive agriculture have devastated ecosystems and caused biodiversity decline. Urgent action is needed to meet the government’s “30 by 30” target to protect 30% of land and sea for wildlife by 2030.

Biodiversity levels across Bradford District are broadly in line with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s State of Yorkshire’s Nature 2024 Report which states that nearly 1 in 5 species have declined by more than 25% in the last 20-30 years and that nearly 2000 species may have disappeared from Yorkshire over the last 200 years, with a further 3000 at risk of extinction.

Key collaborative programmes and achievements include:

1. Tree Planting and Urban Forestry

• Ending in 2023, over 60,000 trees were planted in 140 schools with extensive community involvement as part of Bradford’s A Tree for Every Child initiative.
• Since 2020, Bradford has been recognised as a Tree City of the World to recognise the commitment to urban forestry, leading to the planting of 13,518 urban trees which provide shade, flood management, and wildlife habitats.
• Part of the Northern Forest, the Council is working with White Rose Forest with the aim of increasing tree cover through woodland projects, including street and flood-resistant trees. The Council and partners will work proactively on delivery of the White Rose Strategy 2025-40, and through its Woodlands Creation Programme the council aims to increase tree and woodland cover from 10.1% up to 17% across the district by 2050.

2. Habitat and Nature restoration projects

• Ilkley Moor involves a programme of measures such as peatland restoration, dams for flood management, and diverse vegetation
• Chellow Dene Wetlands is a £80,000 project to reduce flooding and enhance wildlife through wetland improvements.
• The Council is working towards achieving the designation of Local Nature Reserve sites with Natural England and designation of Council-owned nature reserve sites as a recognised National Nature Reserve (NNR)
• The Council will continue to support the development of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for West Yorkshire and Bradford and South Pennines Nature Recovery Project.

3. Green Spaces and Community Engagement

• Bradford District is home to numerous public parks, greenspaces and woodland. Many are rich in biodiversity, with nature reserves, areas of wildflowers and wetlands, enhanced through community planting and litter picks. Six of Bradford’s parks have received Green Flag Accreditation to recognise the approach to sustainable management.
• Woodville Activity Centre in Keighley is a social enterprise hub which supports volunteering opportunities, land and nature-based activities.
• A collaboration project, known as “Wild Uplands” in Haworth for City of Culture 2025 will help the public to engage with nature through
• Walking groups have come together to celebrate the 45 mile circular Bradford Millennium Way during the City of Culture 2025.

4. Flood Resilience

• The Council is part of the collaborative West Yorkshire Flood Innovation Programme (WYFLIP) which focuses on nature-based solutions, water management, flood warning systems and property flood resilience.
• The Council’s draft Local Flood Risk Management Strategy outlines the approach to managing flood risk from all water sources, aligning with current legislation, guidance and Council policy, such as the Local
• The Council promotes Property Flood Resilience, supporting householders, businesses and communities to BeFloodReady.
• Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) have been incorporated into city centre green spaces to manage rainwater and boost

5. Sustainable Food and Agriculture

Agriculture accounts for 3.4% of district emissions, primarily from livestock. While local changes are limited, low-emission, nature-positive projects and strategies include:

• Grow Bradford aims to expand allotment sites and encourage residents to grow their own food.
• The Council will continue to lead on delivery of the Bradford District Good Food Strategy 2023 and facilitation of the Sustainable Food Partnership. An example of just one of many significant projects to come out of this partnership is the Grow Well to Eat Well campaign which included the distribution of 1,000 food-growing kits and planting of 15 micro-orchards across the district.

6. Policy Development

• The Council will explore the possibility of developing a Council-owned multi-site Habitat Bank in order to support the delivery of 10% biodiversity net gain legislation from new developments.
• The Council will actively support the development and delivery of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for West Yorkshire The new Local Plan will include additional policies to protect and enhance the natural environment, ensure new developments mitigate any negative impact from climate change and meet the Urban Greening Factor standards (PDF)

“Bradford is committed to safeguarding nature and adapting to climate challenges by increasing tree cover, supporting sustainable food systems, and ensuring resilience against extreme and adverse weather. These efforts not only protect the environment and improve biodiversity, but also strengthen community cohesion, wellbeing and economic stability."

Priority 8: Reducing Consumption and Waste

What we make, buy and waste all contribute to climate change and biodiversity loss. To combat this, reducing waste, reusing, repairing, and recycling must become priorities. Waste needs to be minimised, and where it does exist, we must innovate to harness its potential for re-purposing into new products or for generating clean energy.

Bradford District aims to transition towards a zero-waste, circular economy that maximises resource efficiency, and fosters green job creation.

Bradford district produces a high level of waste, with 64% of collected material being general waste or waste from Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs). The target of household waste sent for re-use, recycling or composting is 40%, however, domestic recycling rates are hindered by contamination.

Waste contributes less than 4% of Bradford’s emissions, however 61% of these emissions come from landfill. Reducing waste at its source is critical for addressing consumption-related emissions. Emissions from food waste is also a significant problem, with UK families wasting £80 of food monthly.

Strategies and Initiatives include:

Adopting a Circular Economy approach keeps resources in use for longer and improves resource efficiency. Investing in infrastructure, public education campaigns, and community engagement will help to promote the waste hierarchy of prevention, reuse, recycling and recovery.

1. Council measures and community engagement initiatives include:

• The removal of misused bins and enforcement against commercial waste offenders.
• The introduction of city centre street recycling bins, discounted compost bins, and Neighbourhood Clean-Ups initiatives to promote a culture of reusing and recycling.
• New-to-Me Shop, based at a local Household Waste Recycling Centre which sells household items for as little as £2, helping to reduce waste and support low-income households. Explore viability replication at other HWRC sites.
• The Council’s obsolete IT hardware is donated to a local organisation to repurpose for digitally excluded communities. This principle could be expanded to include the re-using of unwanted office furniture as part of the Council’s new low-carbon procurement efforts.
• The development of a Council single-use plastic policy could help to reduce plastic consumed within catering, vending machines and schools.
• Designing a public education campaign, using an electric Exhibition Wagon to ensure proper disposal methods for food waste.

2. Policy development and legislation

• Under the Environment Act 2021, businesses will need to source a contractual collection of food waste from April 2025. In advance of this, the Council is trialling a dedicated food waste collection with interested organisations.
• The Council will collect household food waste from April 2026 and encourage minimisation of food waste.
• An Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facility, based in Bradford, has the potential to produce Biomethane from the district’s domestic and commercial food waste which could be used to fuel vehicles or be injected into the gas grid as a source of revenue. Development of an AD plant would significantly reduce emissions from food waste in Bradford District and beyond. A business case will be developed and a Preliminary Market Engagement process undertaken to assess the viability of such a scheme.
• The new Local Plan will include policies about waste management, use of recycled materials in construction and resource efficiency.
• Introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in October 2027 will ensure that less single-use containers go to landfill – reducing pollution in our streets, our countryside, our soil and our waterways. This scheme will also reduce carbon emissions from plastic degradation in landfill.

By promoting waste prevention and innovative recycling measures, Bradford aims to create a sustainable future and support the shift towards a circular economy, creating green jobs and economic opportunities.

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Communications, Consultation and Engagement

The UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC) estimates that around 60% of all changes required to reach net zero rely on societal or behavioural change. As such, it is vital to get buy-in from both businesses and the local communities for actions across all key sectors, especially in areas where local authorities – and even national government – have limited power.

The Climate Action Plan will be supported by a Communications Plan, which will underpin what, when, how and who the Council engages with around climate change, protecting nature and ensuring that the transition to net zero leaves nobody behind. Using a variety of channels, the Comms Plan aims to:

1. Engage, raise awareness and inspire conversations about climate change and its impact on communities in Bradford District and
2. Share what we are doing and what we plan to do to mitigate, adapt and become more resilient to climate change consequences.
3. Share local stories and create narratives that ‘humanise’ content which appeal to shared values to inform and bring communities together.
4. Promote and normalise low-carbon behaviour at an individual, community and organisational level and highlight the need to move away from fossil fuels in all areas of life.

Key ingredient in developing and revising this Climate Action Plan was meaningful engagement with stakeholders of all types and included a 12-week public consultation which:

• Used diverse platforms to engage residents, organisations, and businesses.
• Employed various formats, including online, in-person, and existing forums.
• Kept the process simple, accessible, and inclusive, allowing sufficient time for responses and consideration.
• Promoted understanding of climate change and positive action.
• Consulted with a wide range of stakeholders for diverse input, and used thematic analysis of collected responses to improve Climate Action planning.

The draft Climate Action Plan’s Consultation Report and two community-led Climate Action manifestos can be found on our sustainability website.

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Impact Measurement and Governance

The actions in this plan are just the beginning of what will continue to be an ongoing cyclical process of planning, delivery, evaluation and learning - always factoring in the ever-changing legislative, funding and environmental landscape, alongside Bradford District-specific challenges and opportunities.

Measuring Impact

By utilising or developing new tools and processes we will better monitor the impact of actions within the plan. These will include but not be limited to:

• Measurement of Scope 3 emissions
• Annual assessment via the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Portal
• Explore possibilities around Carbon Budgeting and Carbon Accounting
• Air Quality monitoring and reporting
• Periodic GHG emissions measurement at the district level

Governance

The Council’s Sustainability Service will revive and facilitate the Sustainable Development Partnership to provide governance and oversight of our collective efforts to achieve the district’s net zero and nature rich ambitions. This partnership will bring together key stakeholders from across the district, encouraging collaboration, and the sharing of learning and resources.

The Sustainability Service will also offer guidance and support to other Council services seeking to develop their own Climate Action Plans or sustainability strategies – supporting our aim of embedding sustainability thinking across all of Bradford Council’s service delivery.

In addition sustainability work undertaken by the Council is reported on to the Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee locally, and to the Climate, Energy and Environment Committee at West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).