Climate Action Plan
After declaring a climate emergency in summer 2019, we published our first Climate Action Plan in 2020. The plan explained how we will become a carbon neutral organisation by 2030, and a carbon neutral borough by 2040. It set the baseline for our carbon emissions and detailed the actions needed to reach our targets.
Our updated Climate Action Plan 2024 (PDF, 14056.65 KB) builds on the same priorities as the previous plan. It also takes into account the progress we've made over the last 4 years, as well as changes in policies, the economy and technology.
Some actions in the revised plan are based on recommendations from Enfield’s Local Area Energy Plan 2023 (PDF, 6588.21 KB) – one of the first local area energy plans (LAEP) developed by a London local authority. The plan was done in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Energy and supported by the Greater London Authority (GLA). Enfield is now also involved in the Central, East and Northeast London sub-regional LAEP undertaken by the GLA in collaboration with Arup.
Annual progress reports
Our previous annual progress reports detail our progress against the actions set out in our Climate Action Plan. The Climate Action Progress Report 2021/22 (PDF, 11672.3 KB) details our progress against the Climate Action Plan 2020.
Our next annual progress report will measure the progress of the new plan, but you can also view our previous carbon emissions reviews below.
Annual emissions reports
Our previous annual carbon emissions reviews outline our corporate and borough-wide greenhouse gas emissions in reference to our Climate Action Plan 2020 baseline:
- Carbon Emissions Review 2024 to 2025 (PDF, 15246.5 KB)
- Carbon Emissions Review 2023 to 2024 (PDF, 14727.4 KB)
- Carbon Emissions Review 2022 to 2023 (PDF, 13972.61 KB)
- Carbon Emissions Review 2021 to 2022 (PDF, 469.92 KB)
- Carbon Emissions Review 2020 to 2021 (PDF, 5871.86 KB)
- Carbon Emissions Review 2019 to 2020 (PDF, 9471.59 KB)
For the carbon baseline 2018/19, see our Climate Action Plan 2024.
You can also see our historic carbon emissions.
Feedback on climate action in Enfield
We want as many people as possible involved in cutting carbon emissions and addressing climate change.
If you have any feedback, ideas or questions on climate action in Enfield, email climate.emergency@enfield.gov.uk.
Buildings
Energy efficient housing
Energy used to power homes accounts for 39% of Enfield’s borough wide carbon emissions.
Less energy efficient homes have an impact on the health and wealth of our residents.
We have been investing in our own housing stock to make improvements by:
- installing 400 heat pumps in 8 blocks to replace inefficient electric heating
- adding external wall insulation to over 30 properties, with funding secured for another 70
- connecting existing homes to the Energetik heat network
- delivering whole house retrofit using the Energiesprong approach
The council is joint lead for the Retrofit London programme, which is aiming for the average Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating for homes across London to be a minimum of B by 2030.
Energiesprong
In March 2021, Enfield Council agreed to do a pilot Energiesprong project.
Energiesprong retrofits existing buildings to improve their energy efficiency.
External works can include:
- applying an insulated exterior wall structure to the surface of your existing walls
- removing your existing windows and doors and replacing them with high-performance, triple-glazed windows and doors
- removing existing roof surfaces and replacing them with an insulated roof structure with integrated solar panels to generate electricity
- fitting a new electric-powered ‘air source heat pump’ and ventilation system. The air source heat pump will be connected to your existing central heating pipes, radiators, and hot water system.
The solar panels on your roof will provide electrical power for your heating and hot water. Any excess power generated by the solar panels that is not needed for your heating systems will contribute to your lighting and electricity use.
Internal works can include:
- replacing your heating system with a new low-carbon, electric-powered air source heat pump
- disconnecting your gas meter and removing all gas appliances, including your boiler, hob and oven, and replacing them with electrical appliances
- installing new energy/ventilation systems and connecting each room to the new ventilation system
- replacing any gas ovens or gas hobs with an energy-efficient electric model
- connecting electrical cables from the solar panels to the meter and consumer unit
- connecting the new heating system to your existing pipework and radiators
View the Energiesprong pilot project presentation (PDF, 536.96 KB), which includes information for residents who have been contacted about being involved.
Energiesprong have pioneered this zero-carbon retrofit system on more than 7,000 homes in Holland, and around 50 homes across England (in Nottingham, Devon and Essex) over the last 2 years.
As well as living in a warmer home, tenants will benefit from reduced energy bills and being part of the necessary change to a more environmentally friendly way of living.
Waste reduction
Our goal, as set out in our Climate Action Plan 2024 (PDF, 14056.65 KB), is that by 2040, everyone living or working in Enfield will produce less waste. No waste will go to landfill, and all waste will be used as a resource.
This means:
- all buildings in Enfield will recycle or compost their waste
- businesses in Enfield will reduce the amount of plastic they sell to customers
- everyone in Enfield will understand the importance of keeping resources in use for as long as possible, getting the most value from them, and then recovering and regenerating products and materials at the end of their use. This is known as the ‘circular economy.’
- everyone will be encouraged to buy their food locally and use local land for growing food
Our Rubbish and Recycling page provides more information on what goes into which bins and how to recycle more effectively.
Enfield Council, along with partners like the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) will sometimes host events to help residents and workers in the borough reduce, reuse, repair and recycle. You can view the latest events hosted by the NLWA.
We have also partnered with the charity retailer Traid to offer a free home clothing collection service.
Textile recycling
Traid
We work with the charity retailer Traid to offer a free home clothing collection service. This allows you to donate clothes, shoes, and accessories that you no longer wear.
For more information, see our Traid – free home clothing collection page.
Enfield Tool Library
The Enfield Tool Library is open Thursdays from 4pm to 7pm at Palmers Green Library.
Borrow household and garden tools
The Enfield Tool Library lets local people borrow household and garden tools instead of buying them. You can borrow things like power tools, gardening tools, camping gear, and more. This supports the council’s goal of reducing waste and sharing resources.
Become a member
Joining the Enfield Tool Library – Palmers Green is easy and comes with a range of benefits. The library will initially be open once a week, and tools can be booked through our booking system and borrowed for a week at a time.
To register to the library, visit Enfield Tool Library or browse and book tools from the Enfield Tool Library inventory.
Membership Fees
- Annual Membership: £40
- Concession Membership: £15 (for eligible members)
Donate your unused tools
Free up space in your home and support your community by donating tools you no longer use. Your donations help people borrow the tools they need for different jobs and hobbies. This encourages sharing and teamwork in the community.
To arrange your donation, email pgtools@frpuk.org. We appreciate your generosity and look forward to receiving your contributions.
Volunteer with us
Become a volunteer at the Enfield Tool Library and help us build a sharing community.
We are looking for volunteers to get hands-on with the tools and give a few hours each week or month (whatever your availability), to staff the Tool Library.
As a volunteer, you will:
- create and maintain the tool database
- hand out and collect tools
- carry out regular maintenance on the tools
- social media outreach
Why volunteer?
- Support your community: help your neighbours access the tools they need without the expense of buying them
- Promote sustainability: reduce waste and encourage the sharing of resources
- Gain new skills: learn about tool maintenance and database management
Fill out the form if you are interested.
Partnering with Forest Recycling Project
We are partnering with Forest Recycling Project to deliver the Enfield Tool Library in Palmers Green.
For more information about the Enfield Tool Library – Palmers Green, email climate.emergency@enfield.gov.uk.
Join us in making Enfield greener and more connected.
Enfield Repair Café
Enfield Repair Café is now in Enfield Libraries
It's a free, monthly pop-up where you can bring broken or slow electronics or textiles and learn how to repair them with help from skilled volunteers.
Fix it. Learn it. Keep it in use for longer.
When and where
- Every last Saturday of the month, 1pm to 4pm
- Please see dates below for more details
What happens at a Repair Café?
You can bring:
- broken or slow electronics
- damaged or worn textiles or clothing
Our volunteers will sit with you, look at the item, and guide you through the repair process.
You do not need any experience. You can learn new skills and build confidence while fixing something you own.
Walk-ins are welcome. You can also book a repair slot.
Why repair
- Reduce waste and keep materials in use
- Save money by extending an item’s life
- Learn practical repair and DIY skills
- Meet others and build community
- Support Enfield’s climate action and circular economy commitments
Volunteer with us
You do not need to be an expert. We welcome all volunteers.
We need people who can help with:
- repairing electronics or textiles
- welcoming residents and hosting the sessions
- organising monthly events
- making tea, coffee and cakes
- general DIY support
If you enjoy helping others and want to support the repair movement in Enfield, we would love to hear from you.
Find out more and book
For dates, booking links and more details, visit Enfield Town Repair Café. You can also read about our work with The Restart Project and local volunteers.
Upcoming Repair Café dates and locations
- 30 May – Palmers Green Library
- 27 June – Edmonton Green Library
- 25 July – Ordnance Unity Centre Library
- 29 August – Enfield Town Library
- 26 September – Palmers Green Library
- 31 October – Edmonton Green Library
- 28 November – Ordnance Unity Centre Library
Working together
Schools climate action
Enfield schools make up more than a quarter of the council’s carbon emissions. We are committed to supporting schools in reducing their carbon emissions and helping to influence behaviour change beyond the school gates. Together we can become a carbon neutral borough by 2040.
Read our Enfield Schools Climate Action Handbook (PDF, 18908.93 KB) which has been created to support all Enfield schools on their climate action journey. It sets out some of the ways in which schools can take climate action, and provides information about helpful resources available from the council.
The handbook is for teaching staff, leadership teams, business managers, governors or any member of the school team working to make your school a more sustainable place.
New Schools Climate Action Hub
School's are kept updated with information on events and resources on the School's Climate Action page.
Green businesses
Green Business Accreditation Scheme
The Green Business Accreditation pilot scheme has now ended.
As part of our pledge for sustainable growth, we delivered a Green Business Accreditation Pilot Scheme between November 2024 and November 2025. The scheme was aimed at supporting local businesses to adopt sustainable practices.
Green Mark is a sustainability certification scheme designed to promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices. It evaluates businesses on their environmental performance, encouraging the adoption of green technologies and practices.
Achieving Green Mark certification shows a commitment to:
- reducing energy consumption
- minimising waste
- enhancing environmental quality leading to significant cost savings over time
Greening the local economy is a vital part of achieving our target to be a carbon neutral borough by 2040. Currently, 22% of our borough emissions come from commercial, institutional or industrial buildings. The council is playing its role in supporting existing local businesses to decarbonise and develop sustainable business practices for the future and start the trend of greener businesses, with a provision of gradually expanding the support across the business community.
As part of the scheme, 15 local small businesses enrolled. 12 businesses completed their Green Business accreditation – funded from the council’s New Development Carbon Compensation Fund, aiming to:
- help businesses cut their carbon emissions and lower their bills, which will contribute to reducing the borough’s overall emissions. This will also encourage other businesses to go green.
- prepare for a larger accreditation program with more local businesses when funding allows
- create an evidence base to highlight best practices and show financial savings, motivating other businesses to take action
We hope participating businesses enjoyed their journey and found the process impactful. We also hope you will adopt the changes embedded in your practice in the long-term.