Climate Change Action Plan 2025-2026
The Action Plan is split into Council emissions, generated directly or indirectly by our operations, and are measured under Scope 1, 2, and 3 (explained below), and Borough emissions, which we can influence but have no direct control over. The actions to target Borough emissions are separated into engagement, collaboration, or regulation.
Strategy aims
- driving our goal of a Borough-wide carbon reduction of 13.4% every year
- delivering on Climate Change Survey 2026 top priorities and actions:
- pollution
- waste
- transport
- homes
- building and infrastructure
Key priorities
Decarbonisation
Reducing the Council’s emissions and supporting a significant reduction in Borough-wide Greenhouse Gas emissions is essential to deliver on the net zero commitments and the Council’s strategic priority: A High Quality Place, Adapted for Climate Change.
Local Sustainability
Becoming more sustainable in our behaviours and practices within the Council and the Borough and considering the full lifecycle of our actions, including the generation and management of waste, education for the future, and the application of nature-based solutions, are essential in delivering on the Council’s strategic priority: A Fairer Economy for People and Planet.
Council Emission Scopes
Scope One
Direct emissions that are owned or controlled by the authority. For example:
- direct operations
- council vehicles
- council-owned properties (residential and business)
Scope Two (energy production)
Covers indirect emissions that are a consequence of the authority’s activities but occur from sources not owned or controlled by it. Also includes emissions produced from the production of energy or fuel used by the Council, such as in buildings or vehicles. Examples include electricity and fuel production.
Scope Three (authority's value chain)
Covers indirect emissions that are a consequence of the authority’s activities but occur from sources not owned or controlled by it. Also includes emissions produced by contractors or suppliers in delivering services or products for the Council. Examples include contractors and suppliers.
Decarbonisation
A) Buildings and Energy
Scope One
A1. Continue retrofit of MBC estate.
A2. Continue decarbonisation of MBC residential estate.
A3. Continue to encourage gas decommissioning.
2026 Budget: £4,270,000
Scope Two
A4. Continue to deliver renewables projects inline with feasibility findings.
2026 Budget: £165,000
B) Transport
Scope One
B1. Continue to deliver the Green Fleet Strategy with continuous incremental investment in alternative fuel vehicles for MBC fleet.
B2. Continue to deliver driver training to internal teams.
B3. Investigate low emissions offering to staff based on the results of the staff survey.
2026 Budget: £455,000
Scope Three
B4. Adopt a policy requiring all contractors working on behalf of MBC to operate with alternative fuel vehicles.
2026 Budget: £0
C) Waste
Scope One
C1. Continue support of bereavement charities through metal recycling from the Crematorium.
C2. Grow partnerships with reuse charities and social enterprises to source outlets for electronic devices (e.g. laptops) furniture, building materials and equipment.
2026 Budget: £2,500
D) Green Economy
Scope One
D1. Review contracts, collections and infrastructure in advance of Oct 27 Deposit Return Scheme launch.
D2. Explore creation of Maidstone offsetting habitat bank.
2026 Budget: £10,000
Scope Three
D3. For existing contracts, continue active engagement with those responsible for the highest emissions, to identify opportunities for reducing the Council’s Scope 3 emissions.
D4. Develop a new procurement policy and evaluation criteria to ensure Environmental Impact Assessments are evaluated and carbon reduction is embedded in the procurement process.
2026 Budget: £0
E) Community
Scope One
E1. Embed climate change action into the Council's “We Care” value and culture through delivery of Sustainable theme at One Council.
E2. Increase carbon literacy of the Council through regular staff and member training.
E3. Continue to embed change through adoption of ideas submitted through our Sustainability Champions team.
E4. Encourage all departments to allocate volunteering hours to environmental projects.
2026 Budget: £1,000
Scope Three
E5. Maintain and promote the Council’s Carbon Dashboard to provide oversight on Borough emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 3) and highlight actions being achieved.
2026 Budget: £0
Borough Emissions
This identifies the Council’s role in influencing Borough emissions through engagement with residents or businesses, working in collaboration with stakeholders, partners, or other organisations, or through regulation and the introduction of policies or strategies.
Engagement
Examples include behavioural change initiatives and communication.
Collaboration
Examples include partnerships and joint enterprises.
Regulation
Examples include policies and strategies, and enforcement.
Decarbonisation
A) Buildings and Energy
Engagement
A5. Continue to promote retrofit and low-carbon systems.
2026 Budget: £12,000
Collaboration
A6. Partner to assist in community renewable energy provision.
A7. Improve retrofit rates through grants and funding.
2026 Budget: £110,000
Regulation
A8. Issue notices and fines under the Energy Efficiency Regulations 2015 for properties not reaching the required standards.
2026 Budget: £0
B) Transport
Engagement
B5. Continue anti-idling banner distribution.
B6. Support active walking & wheeling opportunities.
2026 Budget: £3,000
Collaboration
B7. Continue to work with Kent County Council to support the installation of on-street EV charging points in priority areas.
B11. Deliver the Air Quality Action Plan.
2026 Budget: £0
Local Sustainability
C) Waste
Engagement
C3. Educate and where necessary, enforce waste non-compliance.
C4. Support recycling rates increase through outreach and direct action.
2026 Budget: £10,000
Collaboration
C5. Increase reuse and repair of household items through local repair cafes and social enterprises.
C6. Promote local plastics alliance and actions communities can take to reduce single-use.
C7. Continue to expand composting education programme.
2026 Budget: £10,500
Regulation
C8. Separate recyclable materials from street litter and identify options to recycle litter bin waste.
2026 Budget: £0
D) Green Economy
Engagement
D5. Identify sustainability funding opportunities for local businesses such as through UKSPF to deliver projects in rural communities and the Town Centre.
D6. Provide local businesses with regular updates on sustainability improvements, funding opportunities and sharing best practice.
2026 Budget: £0
Collaboration
D7. Promote green economy training and career opportunities.
2026 Budget: £6,250
Regulation
D8. Consider motion to restrict the advertising of high-carbon products and services through MBC advertising sites.
2026 Budget: £0
E) Community
Engagement
E6. Deliver annual eco hub.
E7. Put sustainability at the heart of the Borough Insight magazine including key content and manufacture.
2026 Budget: £33,830
Collaboration
E8. Provide an annual Climate Action Fund to support the delivery of local sustainability projects.
E9. Explore partnerships opportunities with third-sector and private sector.
2026 Budget: £12,500
Progress Reports
2025 - 2026 (year in progress)