Our Action Plan

Our climate change statement cuts across many other local strategies which deal with issues such as planning, housing, waste, air pollution and biodiversity

Climate statement action plan

Supporting the environment and reducing our carbon footprint helps our residents to live longer and healthier lives. Critically those who are more disadvantaged are often the people who suffer the effects of climate change most acutely.

Poor environmental health contributes to major diseases, including cardiac problems, asthma and cancer, as well as reducing people’s general well-being. That is why our climate change work is also closely linked with our public health work.

Climate change is an integral part of our Bexley Plan 2022 - 2026 which sets out our priorities and ambitions for the years ahead. By doing this we ensure that climate change issues are always at the very heart of our policymaking.

This Action Plan was last updated on 17 June 2025.

Part 1: Reducing emissions within our organisation’s direct control

These emissions are within the ability of the Council to control and for which we can take responsibility to reduce. We have not quantified the anticipated impact of this plan because these activities are foundation activities that are key to accelerating delivery later. An approach to measuring impact is in development.

Energy
ActionPurpose of actionLead officer
Increase use of green/renewable energy sources to power the council owned estate (including identifying the highest ten sites for emissions and a programme to reduce those emissions).Carbon reductionHead of Facilities Management, Capital and Major Projects
When letting council owned non-residential property, the property is compliant with the Government's Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards.Carbon reductionHead of Facilities Management, Capital and Major Projects
Install priority site Automated Meter Readers (AMR) to improve the energy efficiency of the estate.Carbon reductionHead of Facilities Management, Capital and Major Projects
As part of modernisation work to Council properties, explore cost effective options that could improve the energy efficiency of properties (using the recent conditions survey of properties, external funding where possible and long term capital programme).Carbon reductionHead of Facilities Management, Capital and Major Projects
Pilot energy management devices in Council buildings.Carbon reductionHead of Facilities Management, Capital and Major Projects
Waste Reducing and Recycling
ActionPurpose of actionLead Officer
Tackle illegal depositing of waste in accordance with Bexley’s zero-tolerance policy for littering, fly-tipping and other environmental offences.Waste reductionHead of Environmental Services
Encourage the reduction and reuse of waste items that the London Borough of Bexley produces.
(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 6’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail.)
Waste reductionHead of Environmental Services
Reduce single use plastic bottles.
(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 4’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail.)
Waste reductionHead of Environmental Services
Waste and recycling in London Borough of Bexley’s Parks and Open Spaces.
(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 24 of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail.)
Waste reductionHead of Environmental Services
All council vehicles below 3.5 tonnes meet Euro 4 (NOx) standard if petrol driven and Euro 6 (NOx) standard if diesel driven
All Council vehicles over 3.5 tonnes meet Euro VI (NOx and PM)
Reduce air pollution
Carbon reduction
Head of Environmental Services
Encouraging the circular economy in local businesses.
(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 9’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail.)
Waste reductionHead of Environmental Services
Increase the number of reuses and loans of specialist equipment and adaptations by Bexley Integrated Community Equipment Service for both Adults and Children’s Social Services.Waste reductionHead of Integrated Commissioning LD & PD
Peripatetic Head of Families and Child Protection Services, Children with Disabilities, Referral & Assessment Service, Staying Together, Early Help & Children’s Centres
Carbon offsetting
ActionPurpose of actionLead Officer
Continue to develop and use our Carbon Offset Fund to fund carbon offsetting projects that aim to deliver tangible carbon savings.Carbon reductionHead of Development Management
Publicly owned buildings
ActionPurpose of actionLead Officer
Uphold green standards at Eltham Crematorium
Eltham’s cremators are 100% CO2 abated and programmed routine maintenance ensures optimum efficiency.
Carbon reductionDirector of Place
Transport
ActionPurpose of actionLead Officer

Encourage greener travel for staff:

  • council carpool scheme
  • interest-free season ticket and cycle loans
  • continue to use the staff travel plan to reduce single-occupancy car trips to and from the site
  • cycle parking is provided on-site
Carbon reduction and Improved air qualityDeputy Director, HR Customer Services, and Digital
Consider the use of lower carbon or recycled highways materials. These processes are far less resource-intensive and require less energy to produce.Waste reduction
Carbon reduction
Head of Highways, Traffic & Infrastructure
Education and Awareness Raising
ActionPurpose of actionLead Officer
Increase green awareness amongst staff by using Council communications.Carbon reductionHead of Communications and Marketing
Piloting climate change impact assessment as part of decision-making process.Carbon reductionHead of Democratic Services & Information Governance
Children’s Services
ActionPurpose of actionLead Officer
Shenstone secondary school is being refurbished to make it more energy efficient.Carbon reductionDeputy Director of Educational Achievement and Inclusion
In partnership with the Kemnal Academies Trust and Apex Ltd, we are expanding Shenstone secondary school to create up to 20 additional secondary school places for children with SEND. The extension is being built using modern methods of construction to reduce emissions and the impact on the environment.Carbon reductionDeputy Director of Educational Achievement and Inclusion
Ensuring that the vehicles used by our SEN transport service meets the Euro 4 (NOx) standard if petrol driven and Euro 6 (NOx) standard if diesel driven.Reduce air pollution
Carbon reduction
Deputy Director of Educational Achievement and Inclusion
Our children centres recycle and reuse toys and baby equipment.Waste reductionPeripatetic Head of Families and Child Protection Services, Children with Disabilities, Referral & Assessment Service, Staying Together, Early Help & Children’s Centres.
Procurement
ActionPurpose of actionLead Officer
Review our Social Value Policy to include use of green/sustainability as an assessment criterion in the Council’s procurement process and raise skill level of officers in green procurement.Carbon reductionHead of Procurement
Minimising flood risk
ActionPurpose of actionLead Officer
Drains in most urban areas were built many years ago and were not designed to cope with increased rainfall. Within improvements to the public realm, we will reduce storm water run-off and pressure on storm water sewers by using permeable surfacing and/or sustainable drainage systems where suitable.Reduced floodingHead of Highways, Traffic & Infrastructure
Investigate the use of sustainable management of water resources through rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling within Council-owned buildings.Improved recyclingHead of Facilities Management, Capital and Major Projects
Parks and Open Spaces
ActionPurpose of actionLead Officer
Prior to tendering grounds maintenance contracts, seek to reduce fossil fuel and chemical/pesticide usage and impact on biodiversity where it is cost-effective.Carbon reductionHead of Leisure, Parks and Open Space
Create new habitat to encourage new species. Carbon reductionHead of Leisure, Parks and Open Space
Create more sustainable planting schemes (e.g. use plants that will attract wildlife, have a longer life span and require less water, energy, and tendering.Carbon reductionHead of Leisure, Parks and Open Space
Maintain and seek additional funds to retain and increase tree cover in parks, public land, and highways.Carbon reduction
Reduced rain run off
Head of Leisure, Parks and Open Space
For future new projects in parks and green spaces, use best practice to assess any climate change impacts and to consider appropriate mitigation options where feasible.Carbon reduction
Reduced rain run off
Head of Leisure, Parks and Open Space
Finance
ActionPurpose of actionLead Officer
Adopt an ethical investment strategy. The Bexley Pension Fund has appointed an investment consultant to help achieve its sustainability ambitions and to focus on climate risk management.Carbon reductionDirector of Finance and Corporate Services
Corporate Risk Register
ActionPurpose of actionLead Officer
Our corporate risk register includes a climate change risk which makes an explicit link between climate change and increased extreme weather with an impact on Bexley and its residents. The risk also explicitly links to key actions/policies such as Bexley’s Local Plan that addresses environmental and climate change issues and policies to optimise benefits whilst mitigating risks.Carbon reductionHead of Assurance

Part 2: Influencing others to reduce emissions that are not within our direct control

Those emissions that the Council does not directly control but can seek to encourage or influence others to reduce. We have not quantified the anticipated impact of this plan because these activities are foundation activities that are key to accelerating delivery later. An approach to measuring impact is in development.

Commitment 1 - Celebrate, Promote and Protect our Natural Environment

Development
ActionPurpose of actionLead Officer

Apply policies within Bexley’s Development Plan including the Review and adoption of our new Local Plan, which sets out a vision and a framework for future development.

Our Local Plan includes:

  1. Promoting sustainable development within sustainable development locations (SP1 policy).
  2. Protecting and improving green infrastructure (open space and water spaces) within the borough (SP8).
  3. Promoting urban greening in new developments e.g. green space, green roofs, green walls (DP21).
  4. Encouraging net zero carbon emissions in new development and supporting initiatives that contribute to mitigation and adaption to climate change (SP14).
  5. Encourage development (residential and commercial) to achieve where possible appropriate energy reduction and water efficiency standards (DP30).
  6. Encouraging developments within the heat priority area to connect into the network (Cory ) (DP31).

Apply Development Plan to planning applications.

Monitor Development Plan (the monitoring can gather evidence for future policy, and support development management decisions).

Improve air quality
Reduce flooding
Carbon reduction
Head of Strategic Development
Air Quality
ActionPurpose of actionLead Officer

Encourage improvements to air quality through:

  • the promotion of walking and cycling initiatives
  • completely revising and updating our Air Quality Action Plan. The focus of the plan is to encourage a shift towards more sustainable modes of transport
  • requiring Air Quality Impact Assessments (such as for proposals for major developments and new build developments in areas of sub-standard air quality)
  • monitoring stations are located at key points within the borough to measure air quality
Reduction in traffic congestion
Carbon reduction
Improved air quality
Head of Regulatory Services
Minimising Flood Risk
ActionPurpose of actionLead Officer
Apply the NPPF Sequential Test at all stages of planning where appropriate. The sequential test compares the site proposed to be developed with other available sites to find out which has the lowest flood risk. Where possible, new development will be steered towards sites with the lowest probability of flooding.Reduced flooding

Head of Strategic Planning

Head of Development Management

Apply the NPPF Exception Test to determine relevant applications for development. If the sequential test shows that it is not possible to use an alternative site, another test called the exception test could be required. The exception test will show how the development will manage the flood risk and that it will not increase flood risk elsewhere (as well as other factors).Reduced flooding

Head of Strategic Planning

Head of Development Management

Commitment 2 - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Waste and Recycling
ActionPurpose of actionLead Officer
Reduce the rate of growth of municipal waste.Waste reductionHead of Environmental Services

Recycling engagement actions.

(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 18’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail.)

Improved recyclingHead of Environmental Services

Reduce the quantity of textiles being disposed of in the borough.

(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 1’ of section 4 RRP activities in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail).

Carbon reduction
Improved recycling
Head of Environmental Services
Reduce the level of contamination in the recycling material.Improved recyclingHead of Environmental Services
Investigate the options for the pre-treatment of residual waste to reduce its biological content and therefore emissions generated from the decomposition of organic waste.Carbon reductionHead of Environmental Services

Encouraging the circular economy in local businesses.

(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 9’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail).

Waste reductionHead of Environmental Services

Championing food waste reduction initiatives.

(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 2’ of section 4 RRP activities in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail).

Waste reduction
Food waste reduction
Head of Environmental Services
Provide free vouchers for eligible families to buy fruit, vegetables and milk via the Healthy Start Programme. Families may also be able to claim free vitamins.Waste reductionHead of Environmental Services

Encourage home composting to reduce food and garden waste being placed in residual waste.

(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 3’ of section 4 RRP activities in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail).

Waste reduction
Improved recycling
Head of Environmental Services

Reduce the amount of household items being disposed of in the Borough that could have been repaired/reused.

(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 5’  of section 4 RRP activities in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail.)

Waste reduction
Improved recycling
Head of Environmental Services

Absorbent Hygiene Products.

(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 7’  of section 4 RRP activities in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail).

Carbon reduction
Waste reduction
Head of Environmental Services

Increase Recycling on site.

(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 34’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail).

Waste reduction
Improved recycling
Head of Environmental Services
Increase the capacity of recycling kerbside containers.Improved recyclingHead of Environmental Services
Change the food boxes in the food waste recycling service to a larger capacity fox resistant type, as well as providing a food waste leaflet with all new food boxes.Improved recyclingHead of Environmental Services

Food and Recycling Service (including the weekly food waste collection service).

(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 14’’  of section 4 RRP activities in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail).

Improved recycling
Waste reduction
Head of Environmental Services

Garden Waste Recycling.

(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 15’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail).

Improved recycling
Waste reduction
Head of Environmental Services

Flats/HMO Recycling.

(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 17’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail).

Improved recycling
Waste reduction
Head of Environmental Services
Work with the Planning service to include waste management as a key consideration for all new plans and for large new developments to consider underground banks.Improved recycling
Waste reduction
Head of Environmental Services
The Engine House to provide adequate recycling facilities for businesses working from their building and to advise businesses where they can get recyclable products.Waste reduction
Improved recycling
Head of Environmental Services

Business recycling services.

(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 19’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail).

Waste reduction
Improved recycling
Head of Environmental Services
Replace boxes with wheeled bins that do not need to be emptied as frequently and have more capacity.Improved recyclingHead of Environmental Services

Litter Picking.

(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 25’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail).

Improve the environment
Improved recycling
Head of Environmental Services
Supporting Keep Britain Tidy campaign “The Great British Spring Clean” week (22 March – 6 April).Improve the environment
Improved recycling
Head of Environmental Services

On Street recycling.

(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 29’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail).

Improve air quality
Improve recycling
Carbon reduction
Head of Environmental Services

Reduce single use plastic bottles.

(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 4’ of section 4 RRP Actions in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail).

Waste reduction
Carbon reduction
Head of Environmental Services

Commitment 3 – Send no waste to landfill

No waste to landfill
ActionPurpose of actionLead Officer
Send zero municipal waste to landfillCarbon reduction
Waste reduction
Head of Environmental Services

Commitment 4 - Enabling a greener economy

Economic Development and Skills
ActionPurpose of actionLead Officer
Host business support events in partnership with external funders.Carbon reduction in the business sectorHead of Economic Development and Skills
To allocate 125 Climate Essentials memberships to support SMEs to access a dynamic energy measurement platform, with 12 months’ free access to measure and track carbon and cost reductions.Carbon reduction in the business sectorHead of Economic Development and Skills
LSEC to establish a new green skills hub (£1.2m investment) at Holly Hill campus in March 2025. New classroom will be fitted out to enable practical skills training for residents in air heat pump, EV charge points and solar panel installation. This is hoped to act as a catalyst to attract new businesses in these sectors with a home grown skills base.Carbon reduction within construction processes
Reduced waste
Head of Economic Development and Skills
Leverage new external funding opportunities such as UKSPF to help residents acquire new skills and retrain into good jobs with strong green credentials.Carbon reduction
Improved environment
Head of Economic Development and Skills
Leverage new external funding opportunities such as UKSPF to help local businesses optimise digital functionality and encourage adoption of carbon reducing measures in delivery of their business.Carbon reduction in the business sectorHead of Economic Development and Skills
Transport
ActionPurpose of actionLead Officer
Encourage electric vehicle use amongst the public by rolling out an installation programme of public electric charging points in town centres, car parks and residential streets.Carbon reduction
Improved air quality
Head of Highways, Traffic & Infrastructure
Working closely with the taxi and private hire trade on the use and possible locations of hub-based rapid charging points. A programme to introduce slower, on-street charging points, located nearer to where people live is being developed.Carbon reduction
Improved air quality
Head of Highways, Traffic & Infrastructure
Apply policies in Bexley’s Development Plan including the Review and adoption of our new Local Plan (which sets out a vision and a framework for future development), including encouraging new developers to provide facilities for walking, cycling, public transport and shared mobility/car clubs (DP22).Carbon reduction
Improved air quality
Head of Strategic Development
Apply the Development Plan to planning applications.Carbon reductionHead of Strategic Development
Monitor the Development Plan. The monitoring can gather evidence for future policy, and support development management decisions.Carbon reductionHead of Strategic Development

As set out in our Local Implementation Plan (LIP) to:

  • develop and deliver sustainable transport schemes within the Council’s programme of investment
  • liaise with public transport providers to identify and secure service improvements
  • work with partners on development and delivery of major public transport infrastructure schemes e.g. Crossrail, DLR, Bus Rapid Transit
  • promote behavioural change through travel awareness campaigns, travel plan and car clubs
Carbon reduction
Improved air quality
Healthier population
Head of Strategic Development
Travel planning for new developments – support to schools to develop and update travel plans including a range of initiatives to encourage more sustainable modes of travel.Carbon reduction
Reduction in traffic congestion
Head of Strategic Development

Commitment 5 - Empower our residents, businesses and partners to make positive changes

Empower our residents, businesses and partners
ActionPurpose of actionLead Officer
Complete the Sports England funded project to reduce heat loss and use less energy at our 3 leisure centres (pool covers for swimming pools and LED lighting).Carbon reductionHead of Leisure, Parks and Open Space
Working with Leisure PPP partners, continue to identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption and operating costs.Carbon reductionHead of Leisure, Parks and Open Space

Offer energy cafes. At our new weekly energy café at the Central Library, trained advisors will:

  • give residents independent advice on how to pay less for their electricity and gas
  • help to apply for discounts and grants
  • explain how to make homes more energy efficient
  • advise on energy debt
Greater awareness
Carbon reduction
Head of Libraries and Communities
Work with Cory Riverside Energy to encourage the use of the heat produced at the Belvedere Riverside Resource Recovery Ltd in a local district heating initiative or by a local business.Carbon reductionHead of Highways, Traffic and Infrastructure
To make best use of Government funding schemes for improving energy efficiency of existing buildings and addressing fuel poverty.Reduction of fuel poverty
Carbon reduction
Director of Place
Increase awareness of climate change amongst residents and local businesses.Greater awareness
Carbon reduction
Waste reduction
Head of Communications and Marketing

Waste reduction engagement activities.

(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 8’  of section 4 RRP activities in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail).

Waste reduction
Improved recycling
Head of Environmental Services
The London South-East Children’s University runs eco-friendly and practical workshops for families alongside Bexley’s School Waste Action Club. These are normally run during the school holidays for children aged 5-14 years who are engaged with the Children’s University scheme in Bexley. Children are given the skills and confidence to upcycle old clothes and learn how to reduce food waste by turning leftovers into healthy meals. Waste reduction
Improved recycling
Head of Strategic Partnership & Improvement

Championing food waste reduction initiatives.

(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 2’  of section 4 RRP activities in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail).

Food waste reductionHead of Environmental Services
To promote food waste reduction by providing a measuring tool to help with portion sizes and leaflets and recipe cards at events.Food waste reductionHead of Environmental Services
In partnership with BVSC, to use funding by the GLA to establish a food network across the borough on food sustainability and fair access to food.Carbon reduction
Healthier population
Head of Strategy & Performance
Participation in the Good Food Local: the London report survey run by Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming, to develop recommendations to tackle food poverty.Carbon reduction
Healthier population
Head of Strategy & Performance

Reduce the quantity of textiles being disposed of in the Borough.

(Please refer to ‘Bexley Ref 1’  of section 4 RRP activities in the London Borough of Bexley’s Waste, Reduction and Recycling Plan for further detail).

Waste reduction
Improved recycling
Head of Environmental Services
Promote Bexley Green Points, a scheme that rewards residents for reducing what they throw away to encourage more recycling.Improved recyclingHead of Environmental Services
We will continue to alert residents to the requirement to provide direct drainage to frontages when seeking to convert for vehicle parking.Raised awareness
Reduce water run off
Improved environment
Head of Highways, Traffic & Infrastructure
Implement the three year South East London Green Plan 2022-2025 for the South East London Integrated Care System (ICS).Carbon reduction
Healthier population
Bexley Place Executive Lead
The Bexley Local Care Partnership is developing a programme to reduce health inequalities by encouraging more exercise and reduction of obesity, which by promoting active travel (such as people choosing to walk and cycle as part of everyday life), will also help to tackle climate change by a reduction in car travel.Carbon reduction
Improved air quality
Healthier population
Director of Adult Social Care and Health
Using Cory’s Community Fund to support activities and projects that: Protect the local environment and support the circular economy. Build knowledge and awareness of the circular economy, recycling and waste management. Enhance Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics skills. Impacts local people in the community in other meaningful ways.Protect the environment
Waste reduction
Improved recycling
Director of Place

Commitment 6 - To keep an open mind and to go further when we can

Review
ActionPurpose of actionLead Officer
Review the commitments and action plan regularly.Carbon reductionHead of Strategy & Performance
To seek to reduce emissions and use toolkits and best practice to do so.Carbon reductionHead of Strategy & Performance
Deputy Director Finance and Property
 
Piloting new digital engagement platform (Go Vocal) to talk to residents, particularly those likely to most affected by climate change, about the impact of climate change.Carbon reductionHead of Strategy & Performance