What Is York Doing to Lower Emissions?

Ever feel like news about the climate is all a bit doom and gloom? It’s easy to feel that way. But sometimes, a bit of good news comes along that shows real change is happening right on the doorstep. And that's exactly what’s been going on in York. The city has managed to do something pretty brilliant – it’s cut its city-wide carbon emissions by a whopping 16% since 2021. That's a huge step forward in a very short time. But what does that actually mean for the people living and working in this historic city? It’s about more than just numbers on a report; it’s about making York a better, healthier, and more affordable place for everyone. The progress made is a testament to the city's commitment to tackling climate change head-on.

So, how has York managed this?

You might be wondering how a whole city managed to drop its emissions so significantly. It wasn't a single magic fix, but a series of smart changes that all add up. According to a report released on 12 November 2025, the total emissions fell from 906,000 tonnes in 2021 to 758,000 tonnes in 2023. A lot of this success comes down to two main areas: how people travel and the buildings people live and work in.

Think about it – our buildings, from houses to offices and shops, account for over 80 per cent of York's total emissions. That’s a massive slice of the pie. The City of York Council has been pushing for better energy efficiency across the board. This just means using less energy to do the same job. It’s like switching an old, power-guzzling lightbulb for a new LED one – you get the same light, but your electricity bill is a lot friendlier. Better energy efficiency in buildings means cosier homes that are cheaper to heat.

Then there's travel. Tackling congestion is a big part of creating a cleaner city. The council has made big improvements to transport, focusing on cleaner bus services and making it easier for people to choose active travel. This means things like creating safer cycling lanes and more pleasant walking paths, or what are known as active travel routes. When it’s simpler and safer to leave the car at home, more people do. And fewer cars on the road means less pollution and cleaner air for everyone to breathe. This focus on sustainable travel is a core part of the city's climate action plan.

More than just numbers: what this means for you

Reducing carbon emissions sounds a bit abstract, doesn't it? But the benefits are very real and affect daily life in York. This isn't just about hitting a target for net zero; it's about improving people's health and wellbeing right now. Lower emissions mean cleaner air. Fewer pollutants floating around is great news for our lungs, reducing the risk of respiratory problems like asthma and even serious conditions such as cardiovascular diseases. So, every time a cleaner bus goes past, or someone chooses to cycle, it's a small victory for the city's collective health.

And let's not forget the economic savings. When homes and council buildings are made more energy-efficient, they waste less power. For residents, that translates directly into lower energy bills, which is a big help with the cost of living. For the council, it means operational costs for public buildings go down, which is good for the city's budget and offers better value for council taxpayers. This progress proves that looking after the planet and looking after our finances can go hand in hand. The push for better energy efficiency is a clear win for both the climate and the community's financial wellbeing.

What the council has to say

The person at the heart of this drive is Cllr Jenny Kent, the Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency. The council is clearly proud of the progress made so far, and rightly so. This achievement has even been recognised with a top 'A rating' for leadership on climate action for the third year in a row.

Cllr Jenny Kent said: “A 16 per cent drop in emissions is a great achievement for York and backs up our recent 'A rating' for leadership on climate action, awarded by the CDP (formally known as Carbon Disclosure Project), for the third year running. This isn’t just about reducing the impacts of climate change – it’s about making York a more liveable city for everyone. To see our emissions rates drop below those recorded during the Covid pandemic is a big part of making this happen.”

She also explained some of the practical steps being taken: “Ways we are doing this include introducing energy efficiency via insulation, solar panels, LEDS and heat pumps – this all means lower bills and warmer homes. An electric fleet means cleaner air and fewer respiratory illnesses, and supporting bus services and active travel reduces congestion and helps keep our city moving in the most sustainable way. These actions benefit everyone, and we’re determined to keep pushing forward.”

The road to net zero

This 16% reduction is a fantastic milestone, but it's part of a much bigger journey. The ultimate goal for York is to reach net zero by 2030. What does net zero mean? In simple terms, it means the city will no longer be adding to the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Any emissions still produced will be balanced out by actions that remove them.

The Council’s Climate Change Strategy (2022–2032) is the official roadmap for getting there. It's a detailed plan that outlines all the steps needed. And the council isn't slowing down. Some of the next steps on the list include:

• Expanding the network of charging points for electric vehicles.
• 'Retrofitting' more council buildings – that’s just a technical term for upgrading them with modern energy-saving features.
• Investing even more in active travel routes to make cycling and walking the easy choice for short journeys.

Every bit of progress helps build a city that's not just tackling the climate emergency but is also more resilient to things like extreme weather. It shows that with a clear plan and concerted effort, a historic city like York can lead the way in creating a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future. This ongoing climate action is vital for reaching the city's ambitious targets and improving the health and wellbeing of everyone who calls York home.