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 2020/21 (PDF, 14774.82 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 2022/23 PDF, 13972.61 KB
- Carbon Emissions Review 2021/22 PDF, 469.92 KB
- Carbon Emissions Review 2020/21 PDF, 5871.86 KB
- Carbon Emissions Review 2019/20 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 and recycling
Our vision, as set out in our Climate Action Plan (PDF, 9037.32 KB), is that by 2040 people who live or work in Enfield will have reduced the amount of waste they produce. No waste will end up in landfill, and waste will be used as a resource.
This will mean:
- waste will be recycled or composted from all buildings in Enfield
- businesses in Enfield will have reduced the plastic they sell to customers
- everyone in Enfield will understand the importance of keeping resources in use for as long as possible, getting the highest possible value from them, and then recovering and regenerating products and materials at the end of their ‘service life’. This is sometimes referred to as the ‘circular economy.’
- everyone will be encouraged to buy their food locally, and to use local land for growing food
Our Rubbish and Recycling page explains more about what goes into which bins and how you can recycle more effectively.
Enfield Council, along with partners such as the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) will from time to time host events to help those living and working in the borough to reduce, reuse, repair and recycle. View the latest events hosted by the NLWA.
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
Calling for small Enfield businesses to apply for our Green Business Accreditation pilot scheme
As part of our pledge for sustainable growth, we are pleased to announce the launch of the Green Business Accreditation Pilot Scheme aimed at supporting local businesses in adopting 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 demonstrates 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.
Our offer is for 15 local small businesses to participate in the pilot funded from the Council’s New Development Carbon Compensation Fund, 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 encourage all eligible businesses to consider this opportunity to lead the way in green business practices.
For more information and to apply, see Green Business Accreditation Scheme.
Together, we can make Enfield a greener, more sustainable place to live and work.