Kirklees Council has been committed to protecting the local environment and tackling climate change for many years, and it continues this commitment through its ambition to reduce carbon emissions across the district through low carbon living and low carbon working. The Unit’s role is to facilitate carbon reduction and climate change adaptation measures in its own operations and in the community, to lead the district towards a low carbon future which creates jobs, improves lives, reduces inequalities, saves money and protects the environment. Our recent work in communities such as the Hillhouse area is also helping to improve community cohesion.

The Environment Unit is responsible for coordinating the councils Low Carbon Kirklees Priority and Improvement Programme which supports the Comprehensive Area Assessment, Sustainable Community Strategy and the Local Area Agreement (LAA). Our work in the community on fuel poverty, energy efficiency and the award winning Warm Zone scheme contributes to Reducing Inequalities in Kirklees and our work with council services contributes significantly to achieving corporate efficiencies (energy, fuel, money and services).

Key Environmental Work Programmes

• Affordable warmth
• Environment Vision and policies
• Implementation of an environmental management system for all council services (EMAS)
• Renewable energy
• Environmental biodiversity
• Green Network - Developing a green network in Kirklees
• Environmental grants and energy initiatives
• Supporting the Kirklees Environment Partnership