Priority 3: Tackling the causes and consequences of climate change
Focus on tackling the causes of climate change and mitigating the inevitable consequences of this, to ensure the well-being of our residents and position Coventry as a leader and pioneer of the green industrial revolution.
Themes
- Encouraging sustainable and active travel
- Expanding sustainable energy and zero-carbon technologies
- Protecting nature, biodiversity and green spaces
- Reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality
- Reducing waste and increasing recycling
- Roads and pavements
Executive summary
Coventry has made measurable progress on its climate commitments. Our Carbon Disclosure Project score improved from B to A, placing the city among the top-performing cities globally in tackling climate change – an independent, externally validated recognition of the quality of our approach.
EV charging points in the city grew to 2,602, with usage increasing by over 70% – a clear signal that the infrastructure is being built and that residents are using it.
Household recycling improved to 34.2%, above the regional average, and our roads remain among the best maintained in England, with 98% of A roads in good or acceptable condition.
Six Tiny Forests were planted in nature-deprived communities, over 1,600 trees were planted through biodiversity funding, and nearly £380,000 of external investment was secured for nature conservation and community green space.
But there is more to do. Some indicators – including carbon advice to businesses and funding for environmental technologies – have declined, largely due to changes in national funding streams.
Our Climate Change Strategy 2024 to 2030 provides the framework to sustain and accelerate progress.
Background by thematic group
Encouraging sustainable and active travel
Transport decarbonisation remains a national priority, with local authorities expected to promote cleaner transport, improve public transport, and encourage safer walking and cycling. The Bus Services Act 2025 strengthened local authority powers, enabling franchising, enhanced partnerships and improved local control of bus networks, supporting more integrated and accessible services.
Coventry’s delivery continues to be guided by the Coventry Transport Strategy, which sets a long-term vision for a sustainable, equitable and resilient transport system that supports economic growth and improves health outcomes. Continued investment in active travel supports reduced congestion, improved air quality and better access to opportunities for residents.
Expanding sustainable energy and zero-carbon technologies
The UK remains legally committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with local authorities recognised as key delivery partners due to their influence over buildings, transport, planning, housing and energy systems. National programmes such as the Local Net Zero Hubs, Local Net Zero Accelerator Programme, and emerging initiatives including Great British Energy continue to support investment in local renewable energy, retrofit and low-carbon infrastructure.
Coventry’s response is set out in the Climate Change Strategy 2024 to 2030, which provides a clear framework across adaptation and resilience, the route to net zero, circular economy, nature and a fairer green future. This work contributes to wider national priorities around energy security, reduced bills and warmer homes, particularly through retrofit and low-carbon technologies.
Protecting nature, biodiversity and green spaces
Coventry has many green spaces covering around one-fifth of the city, including several high-quality ‘Green Flag’ sites, but overall provision is relatively low and unevenly distributed. The Coventry Green Space Strategy 2019 to 2024 identified 1,997 hectares of green space, two-thirds of which are unrestricted public spaces, across 430 sites.
Despite this, unrestricted green space amounts to only 3.05 hectares per 1,000 residents, lower than in many neighbouring West Midlands authorities. There are large inequalities between neighbourhoods: central areas have the poorest provision - Foleshill ward with only 0.5 hectares per 1,000 residents, has more than 10 times lower coverage than the ward with the highest, Henley, at 6.0 per 1,000 residents.
Coventry’s Climate Change Strategy also highlights low biodiversity, with only 11% of land conserved, against the UN target of 30%.
Reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality
It is estimated that greenhouse gas emissions for the whole of Coventry, from domestic, commercial and industrial sources, amounted to 3.4 tonnes per resident in 2023. While this is lower than the UK average of 5.2, a Centre for Cities report: Cities Outlook 2026 ranked Coventry 18th highest out of 63 UK cities.
The Strategic Energy Partnership with E.ON remained central to delivery, supporting decarbonisation across Council assets, housing, schools and transport systems, while enabling innovation and green growth.
Coventry’s wider climate approach also integrates digital inclusion and circular economy outcomes. Through the #CovConnects programme, additional environmental benefits were achieved by 2025 to 2026: over 220,000 kg CO₂ emissions saved through device reuse; more than 2,800 kg of e-waste responsibly processed; over 350 devices repaired and reused, supporting a circular economy approach.
Estimating overall levels of a number of air pollutants across the city - Coventry’s levels are lower than the average for metropolitan areas in England. Compared to the West Midlands Coventry’s overall levels are lower than Birmingham, Sandwell and Walsall, similar to Solihull and Wolverhampton, and slightly higher than Dudley. Within the city, pollution is highest in central, traffic-heavy areas and disproportionately affects older people, children, pregnant women, those with existing health conditions and low-income communities.
Reducing waste and increasing recycling
National waste policy is undergoing major reform, including Simpler Recycling, and the Deposit Return Scheme, designed to improve recycling consistency, reduce waste and promote producer accountability. National funding reforms also include the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), providing additional resources linked to waste management responsibilities and supporting the transition to a more circular economy.
From 2026, councils will be required to collect a consistent set of recyclable materials across England, including food waste, helping eliminate confusion and improve recycling performance. Coventry’s local approach is consistent with the Climate Change Strategy 2024 to 2030, which identifies the circular economy as a key pathway to reducing environmental impact and improving resource efficiency.
Roads and pavements
Highways maintenance has been supported by Government investment in local road networks. A £7.3 billion funding programme over the next 4 years, including an additional £500 million in 2025 to 2026, reflects the importance of maintaining local roads for economic activity, public services and everyday travel.
National policy continues to emphasise risk-based asset management, transparency and long-term planning, with new performance frameworks facilitating councils to demonstrate best practice and high-quality delivery. Coventry’s approach aligns strongly with this national direction and has been formally recognised through a Department for Transport ‘green’ rating for highway maintenance.
This rating reflects strong performance in road condition, capital investment and the adoption of best practice. Coventry is also leading innovation in greener highways, trialing low-carbon and recycled materials, including the use of recycled tyres and eco-friendly surfacing, contributing to reduced emissions and longer-lasting repairs.
Ongoing investment in highways infrastructure supports accessibility, economic growth and climate resilience, ensuring the network remains fit for future transport developments such as electric buses, segregated cycleways and Coventry Very Light Rail.
Performance summary
We monitor our performance for this priority through a set of 25 performance indicators.
- Progress: out of the 25 performance indicators, there are 8 for which we cannot currently report progress compared to the position last year. Out of the remaining 17 indicators – 65% (11) either improved or stayed the same
- Status: there are 7 indicators for which we cannot report their status against target. Out of the remaining 18 indicators for which we can report status against target, 72% (13) are ‘On-Target’