What is net zero and why do we need it?
Net zero means achieving a balance between the greenhouse gases put into and those taken out of the atmosphere.
A net zero Newcastle ensures our city is not a contributor to the climate emergency.
Benefits of net zero
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Job creation and increased employment
In expanding sectors and new green sectors staffed by local people.
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Fuel savings and energy security
Net zero lowers energy bills by creating fuel and resource efficiency. It means less reliance on importing global fossil fuels. It also allows money from energy to be put back into our local economy.
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Adapting our city to extreme climate events
This prevents huge damage and repair spends and improves our local environment.
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Increased wellbeing
It means cleaner air and water, increased green spaces and more biodiversity. A net zero Newcastle results in a healthier, more equal, and happier standard of living.
Newcastle City Council has declared a climate emergency. This was our first step to become a net zero city. Following this we developed our Net Zero Newcastle: 2030 Action Plan.
The following pages in this section give more information on our net zero mission:
We have made significant progress in reducing our carbon emissions since the publishing of our action plan in 2020.
The following pages in this section explain the various work underway in three key themes to make Newcastle a sustainable city:
Our net zero mission is a city mission. It requires all of us working together to achieve a greener, healthier and more equal city.
Find out how you can be involved in this journey and what support is available to you:
Have your say
We host a quarterly Climate Change Forum focused on key areas related to our Net Zero action plan. To learn more please visit the climate change forum page.
If you are interested in attending future climate change forums and would be like to added to our mailing list, please email climatechange@newcastle.gov.uk
Any live consultations will be added to the Let’s Talk Newcastle site.
If you have any comments or feedback about our net zero plans, please email climatechange@newcastle.gov.uk.
Latest Updates
Net Zero Heroes
More than 150 students from 30 Newcastle schools attended the 2026 Net Zero Heroes event to inspire greener action. Find out more information here.
Newcastle’s CDP A Rating
For the sixth year running, Newcastle has held on to its spot on the CDP’s prestigious Climate A-List. Newcastle is among the top-performing cities in the world for taking action against climate change.
Partnerships
We are working with our partners across the city to reach our net zero goal.
