Reducing Norfolk's carbon emissions
We're committed to working with our partners to support the county's low carbon development in line with the UK-wide target to reach net zero by 2050. We will look to keep Norfolk in step with the ambitious trajectory set out in the national carbon budgets, whilst recognising Norfolk's agriculture sector's vital role in food security and the implications for its land use emissions.
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
We want Norfolk's green economy to grow, providing local jobs whilst supporting national energy security through home-grown clean power from renewables.
Progress in Norfolk
Emissions across the county dropped by 38% between 2005 and 2023, as shown in Figure 1 below, based on UK local authority greenhouse gas emissions statistics from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Figure 1: Total emissions in Norfolk from 2005 to 2023. Source: GOV.UK DESNZ - Official local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics
In Norfolk, the biggest areas of emissions are from transport, agriculture, the fuel and energy use of our homes (domestic), and from land use such as emissions from the breakdown of peat in soils, see Figure 2 below.
Figure 2: Percentage of total emissions from different sectors within Norfolk. Source: GOV.UK DESNZ - Official local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics
You can find further information on greenhouse gas emissions for Norfolk in the Norfolk Insight environment report.
Learn more about how you can take action to reduce emissions in our county and help limit the impacts of climate change. Reducing emissions also has additional benefits, such as reducing pollution and improving air quality, and promoting physical and mental wellbeing through active travel.
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 have created Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans for Norfolk. These plans aim to create a cycling and walking network across the whole county.
Norfolk Trails provide safe cycling, walking, wheeling and horse-riding routes across the county. These routes connect communities and provide important off-road, low carbon access to Norfolk's diverse landscapes, wildlife, and heritage.
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, e-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.
Read more about cycling and walking in Norfolk.
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 worked with First Bus to bring 70 zero-emission electric buses to the Greater Norwich area and will seek opportunities to secure further funding for zero emission buses.
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.
Energy
We're working with partners to develop a Norfolk and Suffolk Energy Plan that supports energy security, resilience, and our climate goals. The plan will identify key pressure points—especially in growing housing and business areas—and explore decentralised energy solutions to meet rising demand from technologies like heat pumps and electric vehicles.
Communities will play a vital role. The Energy Plan aims to empower local groups to create their own energy projects, helping them become more self-sufficient and lower their carbon footprint.
By aligning with the national push to decarbonise through electrification, we're also boosting the local economy—supporting green skills, job creation, and Norfolk's growing green sector.
Stay tuned for updates as the Energy Plan develops.
