The Council Plan

What have we achieved?

Climate change is the gravest threat that we face, and we have a responsibility, here and now, to do all we can to reduce our carbon emissions as a council and as a borough. 
In 2019 we declared a Climate Emergency and in 2021 published our Climate Action Plan to reach carbon neutrality. 

Action to date includes the installation of 164 electric vehicle charging points, the installation of energy efficient street lighting, the planting of 5000 trees and the construction of 24 km of segregated cycle paths to facilitate safe, sustainable transport throughout the borough, contributing to cleaner air and greener living. 

The climate crisis has also accelerated a loss in biodiversity. The local natural environment makes a huge contribution to improving air quality, reducing the impacts of climate change and providing homes and habitats for our local wildlife. 

We are committed to investing in and managing our urban and natural environment in a way that prevents a further decline of our native species, and to see wildlife flourishing in our borough, in our waterways, green spaces and urban areas alike. We have published a Biodiversity Action Plan and established a Biodiversity Partnership to guide further progress in this area.

The borough’s Air Quality Action Plan 2021-2026, which was developed with our residents during Kingston’s first Citizens’ Assembly, sets out our detailed plans for improving air quality.

Where are we now?

• 166 ha of parks and 48 ha of woodland, with parks, woodland and open spaces covering approximately 14% of the borough, and a further 9% of the borough being private open space.
• Carbon footprint per person of 3 tonnes, with the majority of the borough’s emissions from the domestic sector and transport.
• 42% of trips in the borough are by car.
• Around 66,000 tonnes of household waste is collected per year, of which 47% is recycled or composted, and the remainder is sent for energy production with less than 1% landfilled.
• An estimated 7.6% of deaths are attributable to air pollutants PM2.5 and NO2 (population weighted average).
• Of the borough's 66 schools, 58 have pollution levels exceeding the interim World Health Organisation air quality target for PM2.5, and 4 exceeding the interim target for NO2.
• Estimated average EPC rating of D.
   

Priorities 

Our natural environment

Our commitment

We set the highest standards and work in partnership with our communities to enhance nature across the borough for the benefit of all.

Borough level indicators

• Accessibility of green space / quality of spaces (Greenspace Information for Greater London)

Service performance indicators

• Biodiversity net gain (awaiting DEFRA metric capture)
• Number of volunteering hours supported by the council’s grounds maintenance contract

Sustainable transport and air quality

Our commitment

We protect public health by taking decisive action to improve air quality and reduce carbon, and provide effective infrastructure to make it easier to get about the borough, facilitating a move to more active travel and less use of polluting vehicles.

Borough level indicators

• % of trips in RBK undertaken by sustainable means (London Travel Demand Survey (annual))
• % mortality attributable to air pollution (PM2.5 and NO2)
• Number of schools where air pollution exceeds WHO interim targets for PM2.5 and NO2.
• London Boroughs Healthy Streets Scorecard - overall score

Service performance indicators

• Numbers of cyclists using key routes
• Number of residential cycle hangars
• Total area protected by school street / low traffic neighbourhoods / traffic reduction methods
• Number of public electric vehicle charging points

Waste reduction, recycling and reuse

Our commitment

We maintain our high levels of recycling, while driving a reduction in waste. We support activities that contribute to waste prevention including reuse, repair and sharing of resources.

Borough level indicators

• Kg of waste per household
• Kg of recycling per household (by main waste stream categories)

Service level indicators

• % of properties provided with a recycling service  - houses and flats
• Household reuse and recycling rate

Energy and carbon reduction

Our commitment

We provide strong leadership and support the whole borough to reduce carbon emissions. We explore ways to produce clean energy locally, and commit to high quality standards for development in our borough. The council will be carbon neutral in its operations by 2030 and wider borough 2038.

Borough level indicators

• Borough carbon emissions

Service performance indicators

• Council estate and operational carbon emissions
• Number of council owned dwellings where carbon reduction measures have been installed
• Number of businesses actively engaging in carbon reduction activity