Sustainability Strategy and Climate Action Plan 2025 - 2028

Climate change, and its impact on the world we live in, is one of the most significant issues that we all face today. The effects of global warming are well-publicised, with local communities being impacted by weather extremes, resulting in heat stress, flooding, drought, increasing wildfires and freezing conditions. Expert evidence suggests that extreme weather events are going to happen more frequently in the future unless we take steps to address the underlying issues. We all must act now to play our part to protect our environment for future generations. 

In response to the overwhelming scientific evidence and the increased frequency and severe weather events of a changing climate as the consequence of a warming planet, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council passed a Notice of Motion declaring a Climate Emergency in 2021. As a result, this Council resolved to establish and agree a Sustainability Strategy and Climate Action Plan that sets out our vision for a sustainable and resilient future with practical steps needed to minimise and mitigate against the impacts of climate change.

We therefore present the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Sustainability Strategy and Climate Action Plan. The development and delivery of which is cross departmental and collaborative in its approach both internally and with wider central government to coordinate the shared drive to net zero. The time for climate action is now and Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is committed to achieving the goals set out within this Strategy.

This Sustainability Strategy and Climate Action Plan has been developed to outline Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s (LCCC) response to the Climate Emergency and intends to:
•    Create an evidence base, identifying how our climate is changing and the challenges and opportunities that we face using expert scientific information including the Climate Change Committee (CCC) progress reports.
•    Outline our goals and ambitions for mitigating Climate Change within the organisation 
•    Meet the requirements of the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 and 
•    The Climate Change (Reporting Bodies) Regulations (NI) 2024, 
•    Develop a high-level Climate Action Plan, setting out the critical actions needed to deliver our goals, enabling us to mitigate against the impact of climate change, adapt and thrive. 

The focus of the strategy is built around 6 key action areas with an overall goal to embed sustainability and climate action into council decisions and operations. The Strategy and Action Plan will focus on the functions and operations within the remit of the council with an ambition to reduce the council’s climate impact. 

LCCC has reviewed and prioritised current and future known climate impacts considering local and UK Government policy and legislative implications and identified a series of actions needed to minimise emissions and build resilience within each area of work. 

Globally and locally, carbon emissions must be cut consistently year on year to halt global warming. By working together, we can make significant progress in delivering our goals for a brighter, cleaner, environment friendly future. 

This Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Sustainability Strategy and Climate Action Plan is the beginning of our journey towards that future. It is a living document and will evolve and develop as the Plan is delivered.

Lisburn & Castlereagh Council (LCCC) has identified 6 internal action areas to target through its Sustainability Strategy and Climate Action Plan. The purpose of which is to understand our current position and to target the reduction of our climate impact. They are:

Citizen engagement & leadership
How we engage and communicate with our citizens to promote and encourage a more sustainable way of living and working, leading by example as a sustainable organisation.

Buildings and energy
The energy we currently use within our estate and functions, the emissions produced from our facilities and the types of energy we will use in the future.

Transport
The way we travel and the means we choose to make these journeys for business purposes and to deliver the operational functions of the council.

Economy
Our local economy, supply chains and supporting businesses.

Waste and resource management
The way we manage our waste and resources from council facilities and operations.

Natural environment
How we protect our natural environment and use it to reduce the impacts of climate change.

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area stretches from the shores of Lough Neagh in the west to the hills above Dundonald in the east and from the Belfast Hills in the north to the Dromara Hills in the south.

The area is characterised by the strong urban cores such as Lisburn and Dundonald with a diverse and rich rural hinterland of scenic landscapes and villages rich in heritage. 

Our council area is one of the fastest growing areas within NI. Key Statistics:
•    an area of 504 km2 (195 m2) 
•    a population of more than 150,000 (10.6% increase since 2011) and
•    more than 60,000 households (12% increase since 2011) 
•    19% of our population are aged 0-14 years old
•    40 Primary, 9 Post Primary and 5 Special Schools 
•    3 Hospitals 
•    tourism offerings including Royal Hillsborough 
•    home to the Eikon Exhibition Centre • around 5000 active businesses in 2022 
•    business made up of 66% in services, 13% in construction, 12% in agriculture and 8% production/ manufacturing 
•    the lowest rate of unemployment in NI at 2.2%

The land use within Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area is dominated by use associated with farming and agriculture with these areas making up 81% of the overall land use area total. 

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Area Land Use Breakdown:

Animal agri	72%
Urban	10%
Grassland	2%
Forestry	4%
Cropland	9%
Other	3%

 

Our Vision for sustainability in Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council

A civic and inclusive leadership style working to embed and safeguard future social, economic, and environmental sustainability. 

Our goal for sustainability in Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council 

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s goal is to become a net zero, resilient council by 2050. 

LCCC will achieve this goal by: 

•    Reducing energy consumption across council facilities 
•    Exploring and progressing viable renewably generated energy sources 
•    Training all staff and Elected Members in climate awareness 
•    Becoming a civic leader by promoting sustainability and climate action 
•    Protecting and enhancing native biodiversity 
•    Promoting environmental protection 
•    Developing a council policy to give sustainability direction to council services and functions 
•    Developing and delivering a Climate Action Plan 
•    Developing and delivering a Climate Adaptation Plan 

LCCC is committed to playing its part in a just transition to achieving Net Zero by 2050 and central government interim targets related to: 

•    Greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050 as set by DAERA. • Collaboration with central government ‘Sectoral Plans’ and ‘Carbon Budgets’ as set by DAERA
•    Reporting local authority progress to DAERA in compliance with the Climate Change (Reporting Bodies) Regulations (NI) 2024
 

Climate change is the long-term shift in average weather patterns across the world. Since the mid-1800s, humans have contributed to the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the air causing global temperatures to rise, resulting in long-term changes to the climate. 

Over the last decade, the world was on average around 1.2C warmer than during the late 19th Century with recent global temperatures exceeding a 1.5C rise (driven by human-caused climate change and boosted by the natural El Nino weather phenomenon) and 2023 being declared the hottest on record.
 

Human impact on climate change? Whilst natural factors have influenced climate change across the Earth's history, natural causes cannot explain the particularly rapid warming seen in the last century. According to the UN's climate body, the IPCC this is mainly from the widespread use of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas in homes, factories and transport.  

When fossil fuels burn, they release greenhouse gases, mostly carbon dioxide (CO2). This traps extra energy in the atmosphere near the Earth's surface, causing the planet to heat up.

What are the effects of climate change so far?

The global average temperature increase of 1.2C in the past decade has resulted in: 

•    more frequent and intense extreme weather, such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall 
•    rapid melting of glaciers and ice sheets, contributing to sea-level rise 
•    huge declines in Arctic sea-ice 
•    ocean warming.

Can there be further impacts?
According to the IPCC limiting long-term average global temperatures to a 1.5C rise is crucial. Any rise above this temperature will be the ‘tipping point’ where irreversible damage is likely to occur.

What are governments doing about climate change?

In a landmark agreement signed in Paris in 2015, almost 200 countries pledged to try to keep global warming to 1.5C. 

To achieve this, net zero CO2 emissions should be reached by 2050. Net zero means reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible and removing any remaining emissions from the atmosphere. 

However, greenhouse gas levels are still rising quickly and the world is 'likely' to warm beyond 1.5C, according to the IPCC.
 

The predicted climate change impacts on LCCC, based on UK and Northern Ireland information, forecast an increase in annual temperatures. Projections anticipate increased heavy summer rainfall events and wetter winters. Extreme weather events are predicted to become more frequent and intense, including flash flooding.

Climate Change Risks

The Met Office report ‘UK Climate Projections Headline Findings, August 2022’ , estimates that in a high emission scenario by 2070 Northern Ireland could see: 

If the climate changes as projected, there will be impact risks on all sectors of the LCCC area. This may include flash flooding affecting buildings and land, and river flooding, impacting on farming crops, food supply and biodiversity. These associated risks for Council will be captured in the LCCC Climate Adaptation Plan.

In 2021, LCCC passed a Notice of Motion declaring a Climate Emergency. Since then the Council has committed to reducing its impact on the effects of Climate Change and has committed to developing a Sustainability Strategy and Climate Action Plan. 

This position has developed and been directed by the relevant legislative frameworks:

2006 
• NI (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006, Section 25 - states that ’A public authority must, in exercising its functions, act in the way it considers best calculated to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development in Northern Ireland’.
• NI Sustainable Development Strategy - presented the first steps towards tackling
sustainable development challenges and aimed to achieve a better balance between
social, environmental and economic progress.

2008 
• UK Climate Change Act (Amended 2019) - Established targets for the UK to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

2014 
• The Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 – Section 84 Councils must make
arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the exercise of their functions and
must have regard in particular to the need to improve the exercise of its functions in terms of sustainability. 
• Paris Climate Agreement - agreed to limit the increase of the global average temperature to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. NI Climate Change Adaptation Programme (NICCAP2) 2014-19.

2015 
• UN Sustainable Development Goals (2015).
• NI Climate Adaptation Programme (NICCAP2) 2019 - 24.

2020 
• NI Declares a Climate Emergency through a Notice of Motion carried by the Northern
Ireland Assembly.

2021
• Draft Green Growth Strategy for NI - The Executive long-term vision and framework for
tackling the climate crisis, balancing our climate, environment and economy.
• LCCC declared a Climate Emergency with a Notice of Motion carried by Full Council.

2022
 • NI Climate Change Act 2022 - sets a target of an at least 100% reduction in net zero
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 for Northern Ireland compared to the 1990
baseline.
• Draft Environment Strategy for NI - sets out six strategic environmental outcomes as a
guide to how we can preserve, protect and improve our environment.

2023 
• Draft Circular Economy Strategy - sets the DfE vision to create an innovative, inclusive and competitive economy, with responsible production and consumption at its core.

2024
• NI Climate Change Adaptation Programme 2024-29 (NICCAP3). 
• The Climate Change (Reporting Bodies) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 sets dates for Mitigation and Adaptation Report submission and Public Body Reporting

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. 

At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. It recognises that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

1. No poverty
2. Zero hunger
3. Good health and well-being
4. Quality education
5. Gender equality
6. Clean water and sanitation
7. Affordable and clean energy
8. Decent work and economic growth
9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure
10. Reduced inequalities
11. Sustainable cities and communities
12. Responsible production and consumption
13. Climate action
14. Life below water
15. Life on land
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
17. Partnerships for the goals

NI Climate Change Act (2022) 

The Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 sets a target of an at least 100% reduction in net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 for Northern Ireland compared to the 1990 baseline, along with interim targets including at least 48% reduction in net GHG emissions by 2030. The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) must set updated 2030 and 2040 emissions reduction targets to ensure that they are in line with the 2050 net zero GHG emission target. 

The Act also sets sectoral targets on Government Departments including 2030 targets of:  
•    Energy - at least 80% of electricity consumption from renewable sources,  
•    Waste Management - 70% of waste recycled, and 
•    Transport - a target for a minimum spend of 10% of overall transport budgets on active travel, 
•    Other Sectoral Plans include Agriculture, Industrial Process, Infrastructure and Fisheries. 

Public Body Reporting 

There is a legal requirement on all Northern Ireland Government Departments to exercise their functions (as far as is possible to do so) in a manner consistent with the achievement of the targets of the Act and the carbon budgets set under it. 

The Act required DAERA to make new regulations which will set a requirement for specified public bodies to report on climate change.  

These regulations known as The Climate Change (Reporting Bodies) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 specify that the first mitigation reports are due to be submitted to DAERA by 31st October 2025 and then every 3 years after. As a public body LCCC will be required to report to DAERA under these regulations. 

Carbon Budgets 

The Climate Change Act requires DAERA to make regulations that set Carbon Budgets for the ‘net Northern Ireland emissions account’ for each budgetary period. The first budgetary period is 2023-2027 and the subsequent budgetary periods will be every 5 years thereafter. The UK Climate Change Committee has provided advice on the Carbon Budget and DAERA is currently consulting on this advice with a view to setting the budget.  

Climate Targets  

In March 2023 the CCC published the ‘Advice Report; The Path to Net Zero Northern Ireland4.  

“This report provides advice to Northern Ireland on its 2030 and 2040 interim targets and first three Carbon Budgets. The advised targets and Carbon Budgets are consistent with the decarbonisation required for Northern Ireland to meet its legislated 2050 Net Zero target.” 

The CCC concluded, that targets consistent with the legislated Net Zero target for NI are: 
•    The first Carbon Budget (2023-2027) to be set at levels that have average annual reductions of 33% on 1990 levels 
•    The second Carbon Budget (2028-2032) to be set at levels that have average annual reductions of 48% on 1990 levels, and  
•    The third Carbon Budget (2033-2037) to be set at levels that have average annual reductions of 62% on 1990 levels  
 
The Climate Change Act (NI) 2022 requires the Department (DAERA) to obtain advice and recommendations from the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) amongst others. 

Greenhouse Gas Emissions  
 
UK and NI emissions 

In 2022 carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide collectively accounted for an estimated 98% of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK, with fluorinated gases making up the remaining 2%. 

At that time, in Northern Ireland, 99% of GHGs were from carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide with a higher percentage attributed to methane here than in the rest of the UK.  

Emissions across Northern Ireland have reduced by 26% since the 1990 baseline. In order to be on track to reach the targets set out in the NI Climate Change Act Northern Ireland needs to reduce a further 22% reduction in emissions in the next eight years.  

 

Since 2000, the LCCC area has reduced emissions by 42% through a combination of an increasingly decarbonised electricity supply, structural change in the economy and gradual adoption of more efficient buildings, vehicles and businesses. Baseline emissions for the LCCC area are projected to fall by 59% between 2000 and 2050 by investing further in energy and fuel efficiency systems. (source: A summary carbon roadmap for LCCC, University of Leeds, 2022).  

LCCC area emissions 2021 

The local data for the LCCC area has been extracted from the 2021 UK Local Authority GHG Emissions (UK LA GHG Emissions) database published by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). It is a combination of the UK’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory with data from several other sources, including local energy consumption statistics, to produce a nationally consistent set of greenhouse emissions estimates at the local authority level from 2005 to 2021. 

The grand total of emissions in the LCCC area in 2021 indicates that LCCC area needs to remove at least 1297kt CO2e of GHG emissions to support the NI Climate Change Act target on net zero by 2050.  

2021 Emissions in the LCCC area by sector

Transport	23%
LULUCF	2%
Waste	14%
Agriculture	19%
Industry	15%
Commercial	1%
Public sector	3%
Domestic	24%

 

 In order for the Council to benchmark and track its progress in meeting the Climate challenge, it must first understand what its current Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions are. 
In 2024 the Council carried out a GHG emissions exercise to identify the Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions baseline for council facilities. 

Our carbon footprint for 2023-2024 was measured at 6087.74 tCO2e (scope 1 and 2). 

The Council will be tracking its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions on an annual basis and will be working to understand its Scope 3 emissions in the coming years. 

	GHG Emissions
Fossil fuels - scope 1	3,082.49 tCO2e
Transport fuel - scope 1*	1,746.04 tCO2e
Electricity- scope 2	1,259.21 tCO2e
Total scope 1 and 2	6,087.74 tCO2e

*Assumed that transport fuel is split 50% DERV, 50% Gas Oil

Note: Figures based on scope 1 and 2 emissions produced from 45 council facilities. Fugitive gases have not been included in the GHG emissions data at this time.

Baselining of carbon emissions was carried out on 45 Council buildings, the top 5 energy consumption facilities and their associated emissions are as follows:   

Lagan Valley LeisurePlex			% of Total Scope 1 & 2	% of Site Scope 1 & 2
Fossil fuels - scope 1	1670.98	tCO2e	27.4%	85.4%
Electricity - scope 2	286.20	tCO2e	4.7%	14.6%
Total	1,957.18	tCO2e

 

Lough Moss Leisure Centre			% of Total Scope 1 & 2	% of Site Scope 1 & 2
Fossil fuels - scope 1	108.82	tCO2e	1.8%	72.5%
Electricity - scope 2	41.33	tCO2e	0.7%	27.5%
Total	150.15	tCO2e
Emissions avoided (renewables)	10.11	tCO2e

 

Central Services Depot			% of Total Scope 1 & 2	% of Site Scope 1 & 2
Fossil fuels - scope 1	87.12	tCO2e	1.4%	70.1%
Electricity - scope 2	37.21	tCO2e	0.6%	29.9%
Total	124.33	tCO2e

 

Lagan Valley Island			% of Total Scope 1 & 2	% of Site Scope 1 & 2
Fossil fuels - scope 1	349.08	tCO2e	5.7%	67.1%
Electricity - scope 2	171.23	tCO2e	2.8%	32.9%
Total	520.31	tCO2e

 

Dundonal International Ice Bowl			% of Total Scope 1 & 2	% of Site Scope 1 & 2
Fossil fuels - scope 1	442	tCO2e	7.3%	48.2%
Electricity - scope 2	474.4	tCO2e	7.8%	51.8%
Total	916.54	tCO2e

 

Greenhouse gas emissions can be divided into three types:

Scope 1 - Emissions come from fuel (petrol, diesel or gas) that is directly used within an area or from other sources such as landfill or industry within the area.

Scope 2 - Emissions come from electricity used within an area.

Scope 3 - Emissions are associated with goods and services that are produced elsewhere but imported and consumed within the area.

To mitigate against the projected climate changes and associated risks, and to meet targeted reductions within the Climate Change Act, LCCC must take action to reduce emissions immediately.

 In September 2021 LCCC declared a Climate Emergency with the following Notice of Motion carried by Full Council: 
“This council notes with concern the findings of the IPCC (2021) report regarding climate change. This latest report shows the science on climate change is clear and the climate emergency is real. We as a council therefore resolve to play our part and do what we can to work towards the targets set by the governments of the UK and Ireland of net zero carbon emissions and declare that this is a climate emergency”. 

In order to be best placed to challenge the effects of climate change LCCC will develop action plans with two approaches:  

1.    Climate Change Mitigation – working to remove and preventing the causes of further climate change, where possible. This Sustainability Strategy and Climate Action Plan will outline the council’s proposed and ongoing mitigation measures. 
 
2.    Climate Change Adaptation – planning and responding to the impacts and risks associated with the current changes to our climate. A Climate Adaptation Plan will be produced by LCCC to enable the council to build resilience and adapt to current and future climate change. 

The two documents will be intrinsically linked with a purpose to: 

•    Set out the Council’s commitment to our environment, society and economy by addressing climate change.  
•    Help its employees and the local community to understand and effectively respond to climate change impacts. 
•    Help to transition to a low-carbon, competitive and just economy at local, regional and national levels. 
•    Ensure LCCC is making its fair contribution towards national and global climate targets under the Paris Agreement, Climate Change Act and the Sustainable Development Goals. 
•    Position the area on the map for green investment. 
•    Demonstrate climate leadership as a responsible and fair Council. 
•    Ensure that the benefits of climate action are equitably distributed. 
•    Create a framework to measure, monitor and reduce emissions 
•    Sustainability and Climate Action is embedded into the culture of LCCC through the councils Strategic Plans.

What Have We Done So Far And What Are We Going To Do? 

Whilst the preparation and development of the strategy documents has been ongoing, Council service units have not stood still in progressing with actions that will mitigate or adapt to Climate Change. 

Examples of these are: 
1    Local Biodiversity Action Plan 
2    Local Development Plan 
3    Performance Improvement Plan 
4    Tree and Woodland Strategy 
5.    Internal Waste Management Plan 
6.     Open Spaces Strategy  

Read Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council's Climate Action Plan