Have your say on West Northamptonshire’s draft Climate Change Strategy

Feedback updated 12 Mar 2025

We asked

From 24 November 2024 to 19 January 2025, we invited residents and businesses to share their views on our draft Climate Change Strategy. The strategy is part of our commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2045 for West Northamptonshire, five years ahead of the UK Government’s 2050 net zero target.

The feedback received helped us to strengthen sections of the Strategy before the final draft was considered for adoption by cabinet.

The version of the strategy consulted on was informed and shaped by a pre-engagement exercise which ran through August and September 2024. The draft strategy developed following the pre-engagement exercise was approved for consultation, 11 November 2024 Cabinet.

You said

There were 92 complete responses to the final consultation, the following shows the key results:

Do you agree or disagree that the vision is clear?

Agree: 40%
Disagree: 30%
Neither agree nor disagree: 30%

Do you agree or disagree that the vision is achievable?

Agree: 20%
Disagree: 60%
Neither agree nor disagree: 20%

Do you agree or disagree with the aims of the people section?

Agree: 50%
Disagree: 10%
Neither agree nor disagree: 40%

Do you agree or disagree with the aims of the buildings section?

Agree: 40%
Disagree: 30%
Neither agree nor disagree: 30%

Do you agree or disagree with the aims of the transport section?

Agree: 30%
Disagree: 40%
Neither agree nor disagree: 30%

We did

All responses to the consultation have been considered and helped shape the final version of the Strategy which was presented at 4 March 2025 Cabinet.

Key changes that were considered following the consultation:

In response to the majority disagreement with the deliverability of the vision, we strengthened the vision section of the strategy. This was achieved by committing to having the first Climate Change Action Plan ready for publication in the autumn of 2025. The Action Plan will be reviewed annually, and we committed to reviewing the strategy every 5 years.
Alongside comments received through the online consultation the building section was reviewed by WNC planning team officers. Their comments helped ensure the section included reference to best practice in the reuse of existing buildings.

The final version of the strategy received unanimous support from Cabinet and was approved and adopted by the Council

Council’s Cabinet: Agenda, decisions and minutes, Cabinet Tuesday 4 March 2024 (item 8).

Overview

You are invited to share your views on our draft Climate Change Strategy.

As part of our ongoing commitment to climate change action, we aim to achieve net zero by 2045 for West Northamptonshire. In order to do this, we have developed a draft Climate Change Strategy, which aims to address local climate change impacts and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This activity also supports the UK Government’s 2050 net zero target.

Climate action is a key priority for the Council, requiring joint efforts from residents and businesses.

In August and September 2024, we sought views from residents and businesses to inform the development of the draft strategy. This current consultation invites you to share your views, concerns, and ideas to help shape the final strategy. Your input is crucial for creating a sustainable future for West Northamptonshire.

Thank you for taking part and helping make a difference.

What is the Climate Change Strategy? What is the Climate Change Strategy?

The strategy sets out the Councils climate ambitions for West Northamptonshire. It includes plans to cut emissions, adapt to climate impacts, engage the community, and monitor progress. The strategy is tailored to local needs, so that it can give effective and relevant actions to protect and improve the community we live in.

Another important purpose of the strategy is to highlight how we all need to take action to tackle climate change.

Why your feedback is important

We would like to understand how people feel about the proposed strategy, including their views on the vision, challenges and aims. We are particularly interested in feedback on the vision and how this reflects community views and needs for climate change action going forwards.

We welcome feedback from residents, businesses, and stakeholders because your involvement is key to our Climate Change Strategy and therefore helping to secure a sustainable future for West Northamptonshire.

How to have your say

You can have your say by accessing the online survey by using the ‘Have your say’ link below. If you need assistance to complete the online questionnaire, would like a copy of it in another format please email sustainable@westnorthants.gov.uk

This consultation closes midnight Sunday 19 January 2025

For information about how consultation and engagement responses are managed, please see the consultation and engagement privacy notice.

What happens next?

Feedback will be considered and help to shape the final strategy. Once finalised, the strategy will be approved by cabinet, adopted and published in early spring 2025. The adopted strategy will guide our actions towards achieving net zero emissions for the West Northamptonshire area by 2045.

Interests

Consultations

Contact