2.0 Our Approach
Tackling climate change is an integral part of our One Coventry Plan
In 2022 the Council launched its One Coventry Plan.
Three key priority areas were identified: based on feedback from citizens on issues more important to them:
- tackling the causes and consequences of climate change
- increasing the economic prosperity of the city and region
- improving outcomes and tackling inequalities within our communities
2.1 The Climate Change Strategy is the Council’s response to how it will tackle the causes and consequences of climate change, but it plays a significant role in assisting the delivery of all three goals.
Increase Economic Prosperity
2.2 The UK’s Climate Change Committee estimates that the UK will need to invest £1.4 trillion between 2020 to 2050 to reach net zero. Reaching net zero will require significant changes right across the economy.
2.3 The UK’s green economy grew by 9% in 2022-23, in contrast to 0.1% of the economy overall. The boom in green companies supported 765,000 jobs and production of £74bn in goods and services (source: Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit and Confederation of British Industry, 2024). Green jobs are on average better paid, more productive and hotspots of activity are taking place in some of the most deprived parts of the country, helping to improve living standards. Estimates suggest that growth in the green economy could grow to between 1.4 and 2.5 million jobs in total in the UK, but investment will be needed to develop skills and maximise opportunities for local people. Taking action to create a more climate resilient city will help to safeguard areas from economic loss.
2.4 Energy security is key to supporting economic growth. More renewable, locally generated energy supply will provide more resilient and lower cost energy and help to unlock barriers to development to ensure Coventry is a city that businesses want to invest in.
Tackling Inequalities
2.5 The green economy presents a significant opportunity for local people and businesses, however we must ensure that workers in ‘carbon-heavy’ industries don’t get left behind in the shift to green jobs and skills. We also must ensure we provide the right training and skills to help local people access new green jobs.
2.6 There are a growing number of people in Coventry are living in food and fuel poverty. It is vital that as we strive to address this in a fair and just way, helping to lift people out of poverty, we ensure that those on the lowest incomes are not made worse off by any actions taken to address climate change.
2.7 People living in deprived neighbourhoods suffer higher levels of pollution and are more likely to suffer from respiratory illnesses. An inability to afford better insulation results in fuel poverty and exacerbates health conditions as well as increasing risk of suffering a range of long-term health conditions including cardio-vascular disease, respiratory illness, hypothermia and impacts on mental health. Over 22% of Coventry households are reported to be in fuel poverty. Retrofitting homes will directly address this, creating warmer homes and lower bills. Grant programmes target the most vulnerable households who can’t afford to pay for these measures, to ensure those that most need support benefit.
2.8 20% of Coventry residents are living in food poverty. There is a rising number of food banks and lack of access to green space particularly in our most deprived areas which could be used for food growing. This is something the Strategy seeks to address through developing community growing sites, getting more out of our allotments and linking in with organisations such as the Coventry Food Network and local food banks.
2.9 A lack of accessibility to transport and digital connectivity can contribute to social exclusion. Compared to many other cities, Coventry has a higher percentage of the population that do not have access to a car. This places increasing importance on public transport, walking and cycling to give access to opportunities. Improvements to our active travel network and new fleet of electric buses will be of great benefit to those who do not have access to a car. The Council is also working with partners to recycle and donate electronic equipment and offer training to combat digital exclusion.
2.10 Coventry is a proud diverse city, made up of communities of many different ethnic backgrounds, with over 100 languages spoken. Language could act as a barrier when accessing and having an awareness of services available, so it is important that we find ways of reaching all communities, allowing people to take positive action and ensuring they have access to key services and information relating to changes we are making in the city. This includes delivering information in different formats and languages and working with community leaders and faith groups to help cascade information.