Climate change and sustainability timeline

Our environmental achievements, activities and commitments from 1990 to the present.

We have long been committed to protecting the environment. The list below highlights some key activities and commitments made to improve the borough.

1990/1991

  • We embark on a programme of energy efficiency works across our own estate.

1994

  • Woking Environment Action established.

1997 to 2001

  • Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and solar panels installed at Brockhill.

1999

2001

  • Awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise.
  • Woking CHP Energy Station officially opened.

2002

  • Climate Change Strategy adopted.

2003

  • Climate Neutral Development Guidance adopted.
  • Cross political party Climate Change Working Group established.
  • Woking Park Fuel Cell / CHP officially opened.

2005

  • Updated Climate Change Strategy adopted.
  • First demonstration hybrolight commissioned.
  • Awarded the Beacon Council Status for Sustainable Energy.
  • Awarded Low Carbon Leaders' Award.

2006

  • First electric vehicle (EV) charging points installed in town centre car parks.
  • Energy Saving Trust fleet health check.
  • Enterprise Rent A Car Ltd car club introduced for council business mileage.

2007

  • Awarded Beacon Status for Promoting Sustainable Communities through the Planning Process.

2008

  • Revised Climate Change Strategy adopted.

2008/2009

  • Beacon Council Status for Tackling Climate Change.
  • We enter partnership with Enterprise Rent A Car Ltd to deliver a car club for business mileage reducing emissions and saving money on mileage claims.

2008 to 2011

  • Cycle Woking programme delivered.

2009

  • The Action Surrey website is created as part of the ThamesWey Group to give impartial energy advice to households, schools and businesses helping them save money and reduce CO2 emissions.

2012

  • Environmental audit conducted by Cap Gemini.

2012/2013

  • Expansion of electric vehicle charging points in town centre car parks (ongoing).

2015

  • Electric vehicle pilot as part of the council’s car club arrangements.
  • Woking 2050 Climate Change Strategy adopted.

2018

  • Air quality monitoring tubes installed on Victoria Way at the junction with Lockfield Drive (at the former Toys R Us building and at Victoria Arch junction).
  • Plastic water bottles removed from council chamber meetings. Plastic and paper cups replaced by china cups and glasses in all meeting rooms. Segregated waste bins, including food waste, introduced into staff kitchens in Civic Offices.
  • Diesel vehicles banned from our lease car fleet.

2018/2019

  • New Vision Homes (NVH) invested £5.7 million into the existing housing stock as part of the asset management programme. £500,000 was focused on improving the energy efficiency of blocks through external wall, cavity wall and loft insulation programmes.

2019

  • Electric vehicle position statement adopted and published on website.
  • ThamesWey's new energy centre on Poole Road received planning permission.
  • Single Use Plastics Policy adopted. The policy included bottle filling stations in Woking town centre and the Refill Woking strategy (where members of the public can refill their plastic bottles with free tap water) as well as enhanced recycling strategies.
  • Climate emergency declared.
  • Minutes of the Climate Change Working Group published online to enhance awareness of its activities in this area.
  • Tree planting at Byfleet Primary School to mark National Tree Week.

2020

  • Carbon neutral definitions and baselines determined and adopted by Woking Borough Council along with the identification of priority carbon reduction activities for 2020 to 2021.
  • Woking Borough confirmed as part of a Surrey County Council pilot to install on-street charging points. SCC was awarded £470,000 to install 80 fast on-street charging points for electric vehicles across Woking, Spelthorne, Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils during 2020 to 2021.
  • Seven trees planted on Surrey County Council highway land adjacent to Horsell Lodge to mark Surrey Tree Week.

2021

2022

2023

  • Carbon footprint assessment undertaken of council buildings.
  • Climate Change Supplementary Planning Document Adopted.

2024

2025

  • Consultation on a new Reg 18 Local Plan incorporating sustainability objectives.