Our Carbon Reduction Plan
We are facing a global climate crisis and the UK has committed to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by no later than 2050. Historic England recognises the urgent need for positive action and is committed to achieving
net zero by 2040. This plan sets out our baseline and our approach to achieving this.
Introduction
Over the past several years, we have been working closely with other organisations, on a national and international scale, to understand and address the challenges that the historic environment faces as we move into a period of climate uncertainty. We are signatories to the Joint Heritage Sector Statement on Climate Change and members of the Climate Heritage Network.
At Historic England, we are researching and promoting the role our cultural heritage can play in both climate change mitigation and adaptation – for example, looking at recycling and reusing existing historic buildings. As an organisation, we have a duty of care to protect our heritage. We support actions that address the causes of climate change and that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Achieving net zero
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report, limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees and avoiding the worst impacts of climate change requires global emissions to rapidly decline over the next 10 years and reach net zero no later than 2050.
Our commitment is that by 2040, we will reduce our emissions by at least 90%, or to a residual level that is consistent with reaching net zero emissions and limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees.
Our targets and pathway have been set using the most recent climate science and methodology available via the Science Based Targets initiative.
Download the full Carbon Reduction Plan
Reporting on our progress
We will report on our progress to achieving our carbon reduction goals on this page.
