Reducing Norfolk's carbon emissions

We're working with our partners to drive down carbon emissions across Norfolk.

We want to make it easier for everyone in the county to:

Use active and sustainable travel
Make their homes and businesses more energy efficient
Recycle and reduce waste

As well as tackling climate change, reducing emissions across our county will help improve Norfolk's air quality. This will benefit the health of residents and visitors to our county.

You can find information on greenhouse gas emissions for the whole of Norfolk in the Norfolk Insight environment report.

Greener travel

Our Local Transport Plan sets out how we will reduce carbon emissions from Norfolk's transport network and improve air quality in built-up areas.

Cycling and walking

We're working with councils across Norfolk to create Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans. These plans aim to create a cycling and walking network across the whole county.

Norfolk Trails already provide safe cycling and walking routes. Norfolk Greenways will create more of these safe routes, and link in with existing trails and the public transport network.

Bikes and e-scooters are available to hire through the Beryl bike share scheme in Norwich. This enables people to choose this sustainable alternative to driving without having to buy, maintain, or store their own bike or e-scooter.

We're trialling school streets around selected schools in Norfolk. These timed road closures make the journey to school safer by cutting traffic congestion around schools. They can also reduce carbon emissions by boosting the number of children cycling and walking to school instead of travelling by car.

Public transport

Our Bus Service Improvement Plan focuses on making travel by bus an attractive, affordable, and sustainable option - one people can confidently choose over driving.

We worked with Suffolk County Council and local bus operators to create a joint bus passenger charter. The charter will improve customer confidence in bus services by establishing a consistent standard of service they can expect when travelling by bus.

We're working with First Bus to bring 70 zero-emission electric buses to the Greater Norwich area by March 2024.

We work closely with rail operators to lobby for improvements to rail infrastructure within and beyond Norfolk, so that travel by train is an attractive alternative to driving.

Car clubs and electric vehicles

Our electric vehicle strategy sets out our commitment to supporting and promoting electric vehicle use in Norfolk.

We provide information to help people make the switch to electric cars. We're working with councils across the county to install and improve charging facilities - making sure electric vehicle users have the infrastructure they need. Read more about how we're promoting electric vehicle use.

We work closely with Enterprise to give residents access to a car without the expense of owning it through the Enterprise Car Club.

Energy efficient buildings

We support the Norfolk Warm Homes programme which helps low-income households to make their homes more energy efficient - reducing their energy bills and their carbon emissions.

We have partnered with the Retrofit Academy to develop a green skills training programme. This will provide the county with a workforce that has the skills needed to retrofit existing homes so they are low-carbon and resilient to climate change.

Recycling and reducing waste

We provide information to help people reduce, reuse and recycle. This includes Food Savvy which helps people to reduce food waste, and Swap2save which explains how to swap unsustainable single-use products for reusable alternatives.