How we are tackling climate change

Woking has long been committed to protecting the environment. We have worked together with key stakeholders, commercial partners and volunteer organisations to meet our common environmental goals.

Our first climate change strategy was adopted in 2002, although our efforts began in 1990. In 2015 we adopted the Woking 2050 strategy, setting out our vision for a sustainable borough. This has since been replaced after a Climate Change Strategy review in 2023.

Our climate change and sustainability timeline lists our achievements over the years.

Woking Climate Change Strategy 2024

The Woking Climate Change Strategy - A Vision for a Net Zero Borough (August 2024) replaces Woking 2050 to reflect the newer national target national target for all sectors of the economy to be net zero by 2050. It also details our enhanced environmental ambitions.

Go to the Woking Climate Change Strategy 2024

This strategy sets out our priorities across the following eight themes:

• Woking Borough Council’s Journey to Net Zero
• Energy
• Waste
• Water
• Transport
• Economy, Business and Supply Chains
• The Natural Environment
• The Built Environment

These chapters are designed to engage with all communities within Woking. They provide actions for them to consider as we all look toward achieving net zero.

Guiding principles

Beyond our net zero objectives are a set of guiding principles for the future of our borough. These were agreed in the Woking 2050 strategy and remain relevant now. 

For the benefit of all, we want a borough that: 

• protects and enhances its high-quality natural environment
• uses resources wisely
• conserves biodiversity
• has a sustainable built environment that meets local needs and enables the local economy to prosper
• recognises, prepares and adapts to socio-economic, environment and 
  demographic changes

Key actions

The Woking Climate Change Strategy proposes key actions to reduce our environmental footprint at both the corporate and borough level. These include:

• optimising energy efficiency and decarbonising energy supplies
• promoting and facilitating positive sustainable behaviours
• conserving resources by continuing to move away from unsustainable consumption and waste generation
• supporting sustainable modes of transport to move away from fossil fuel-powered vehicles
• balancing growth and prosperity with sustainable development and habitat 
  conservation

More information

For more information about our climate change strategy, email our Planning Policy team.

Email: planning.policy@woking.gov.uk