Climate Change in Epsom and Ewell

The need to act now

According to data published in the Sixth Assessment Report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2021, "Climate change is already affecting every inhabited region across the globe with human influence contributing to many observed changes in weather and climate extremes". "Many changes due to past and future greenhouse gas emissions are irreversible for centuries to millennia, especially changes in the ocean, ice sheets and global sea level". "Limiting human-induced global warming to a specific level requires limiting cumulative CO2 emissions, reaching at least net zero CO2 emissions, along with strong reductions in other greenhouse gas emissions".

We need to act now.

Climate Crisis in the Borough of Epsom and Ewell

A climate crisis was declared in the Borough of Epsom and Ewell in July 2019, with a Climate Change Action Plan being formally agreed by the Council in January 2020. The Action Plan includes a target for the Council to be carbon neutral by 2035 along with targets against many other themes including transport, energy use and waste over the four year duration of the plan. For the latest updates and reports please see our Local Government Page.

Climate Crisis in the County of Surrey

A climate crisis was also declared in the County of Surrey in July 2019 with Surrey's Climate Change Strategy being launched by Surrey County Council in April 2020. This document contains 164 actions some of which are anticipated to be completed by 2022 with others taking longer to plan, implement and achieve – working towards a 2035 timeline. For the latest updates and reports please see our Local Government Page.

Greenhouse gas emissions in Epsom and Ewell

A recent analysis of how local authorities are taking action to cut greenhouse gases by Friends of the Earth showed that Epsom and Ewell needs to do much more if climate catastrophe is to be averted. The report included comments from researchers at the Tyndall Centre in Manchester University who stated that Epsom and Ewell should reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 13% per year. According to the report, in Epsom and Ewell 52% of emissions come from housing, 30% from transport, and 18% are industrial and commercial emissions.

Carbon emission data for the county of Surrey

A Baseline Report has been produced by the University of Surrey on behalf of Surrey Climate Commission to offer an initial carbon footprint analysis for the county of Surrey. This will allow the carbon footprint to be monitored over time in order to track progress towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions in the county overall.

Alongside the Baseline Report, the Surrey Climate Commission have also produced a Vision for Climate Action document which takes key messages from the Baseline Report and links these to "Visions", which should direct strategy and activity.

What can we do?

We as individuals can be part of the change, but what can we do to reduce our personal impact? Hopefully this website will provide you with the local information you need to start making changes in your life.