Green

What We Have Achieved

We engage with the community in discussions around the climate emergency. We empower them to take action and support our collective aspiration to become a carbon neutral borough.  

We continue to deliver the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) which aims to reduce carbon dioxide across nine priority areas. It includes recommendations from residents, businesses, local organisations, schools and other stakeholders. 

As a result of the Waste Transformation Programme, recycling has increased. The Council is now one of the highest performing nationally and we are striving to reach the target of 70% recycling by 2030. 

The borough benefits from large areas of accessible green space. We are committed to improving the biodiversity value and accessibility of these existing sites and, through our newly submitted Local Plan, we will ensure that the new communities will also benefit from large areas of new high quality accessible green spaces.

Some examples:

• We completed the first phase of the Gorse Ride social housing regeneration project. The new homes have been designed with high levels of insulation and low carbon technology.
• Wokingham had the highest take up in Berkshire of solar panels through the Solar Together scheme, with 450 properties installing solar panels through this scheme.
• We adopted the Electric Vehicle Charging strategy in January 2025 with 94 charging points installed.
• We planted 45,906 trees or hedgerows over 17 hectares since 2021.
• We reduced our CO₂ emissions by 1,476 tonnes.
• Wokingham has been recognised as a “Tree City of the World”, having met five core standards that illustrate a commitment to caring for its trees and forests.
• We secured planning and grid connection for Barkham solar farm which is due to join the main grid in Summer 2026.
• We submitted the new Local Plan, which includes key Climate Emergency policies around minimum energy standards in future developments.

Where We Are Going

Priority 1

• We will enable people to share the benefits of improved biodiversity and safe, accessible green spaces.

Priority 2

• Residents can enjoy clean and well-maintained streets and other public areas which in turn continues to foster a sense of pride in our local areas.

Priority 3

• Continue to deliver the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) with the goal of seeing communities with lowered emissions from transport, homes, and businesses and improved recycling.

Priority 4

• Continue to focus on improved energy efficiency which residents can benefit from in their homes, making them warmer and healthier to live in and reducing bills.

Back to Our 2030 Ambition