Frequently Asked Questions

It asks for views on draft countywide climate change action plans for West Sussex. This includes one action plan to address the causes of climate change through emissions reduction (referred to as ‘mitigation’) and another to help us prepare for the impacts of climate change (referred to as ‘adaptation’). Both mitigation and adaptation will be crucial to ensuring a greener, more resilient West Sussex where people and nature thrive together. The draft action plans were developed jointly by all local authorities in West Sussex.

See a full glossary of key terms here (opens in a new window). 

Residents aged 13yr+, organisations across West Sussex and people who work in the county are encouraged to take part.

The consultation will help ensure the final plans reflect local priorities and public feedback.

People can take part online via the consultation page. Anyone without access to the internet can visit a library (opens in new window)  or family hub (opens in new window)  to complete the consultation. For anyone needing further support completing an online form, help can be arranged from a library digital volunteer. Alternatively, people can request a printed version to be sent to them, along with a Freepost return envelope, by calling 01243 777100 . Printed copies of the action plans along with a document summarising what the consultation is about can be viewed at Chichester, Crawley, Horsham, and Worthing libraries on request.

The consultation will be open from 5^th August until 27^th September.

A summary of consultation results will be published in the autumn. Consultation responses will be reviewed and used to inform the final climate change mitigation and adaptation action plans which will be published by spring 2027.

These are action plans for the whole county showing what needs to be done to reduce emissions and adapt to the changing climate over time. It is not just for local councils to carry out. Many different organisations will work together to make it happen, and each organisation's role will be agreed as the programme moves forward.

A mix of funding sources will be required to support the work needed to reduce emissions across the county and adapt to the changing climate. Funding is expected to come from different places, including:

• Money already set aside by councils for projects and improvements
• UK Government grants and national funding programmes
• Investments from businesses and companies
• Funding from the Sussex and Brighton Strategic Authority
• Support from utility and infrastructure companies, such as energy and water providers
• Third sector organisations and other partner organisations
• New sources of funding linked to nature projects and carbon reduction schemes

It is recognised that the expected transition to unitary authorities has the potential to significantly affect how the action plans are delivered. The new unitary structures could provide new funding opportunities and enable more joined-up delivery across the wider Sussex region. However, uncertainty remains around the structure and timing of the reorganisation, and the action plans recognise that this may result in changes to funding arrangements, governance responsibilities, and services as the process develops. 

In addition, the Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority was created in March 2026 as part of the devolution process. This new organisation could help improve coordination of funding and climate action across the region. West Sussex County Council and the district and borough councils will work with the Strategic Authority to help ensure the aims of the plans are reflected in future regional decisions and investment.

Achieving the level of carbon reduction set out in this Plan will depend heavily on support from central government. This includes delivering a cleaner national electricity system, investing in and upgrading the electricity network, and continuing funding programmes for home energy improvements, local renewable energy projects, and other low-carbon initiatives.

The draft Climate Change Mitigation Action Plan also relies on the government strengthening building standards, supporting the transition to electric vehicles and sustainable transport options, and helping the farming sector reduce emissions. 

To deliver the draft Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan, central government has an important role in supporting climate resilience by making it a funded priority for local authorities. Introducing a clear duty for councils to take action on climate change, backed by dedicated government funding, would help ensure a consistent and coordinated approach across the country.

The action plans have been designed to work alongside Local Plans across West Sussex. Local Plans will play an important role in delivering these action plans by supporting actions such as improving energy efficiency, encouraging sustainable transport, preparing for extreme heat, and helping nature recovery.

While Local Plans already provide a strong foundation, there are differences in how they are applied across West Sussex. The countywide action plans provide an opportunity to create a more consistent and coordinated response to planning for climate change.

If no further action is taken, emissions in the county are still expected to fall by around 71% by 2050. However, the county would miss out on important benefits, including new jobs and investment, better health outcomes, greater energy security, and a stronger local economy.

Climate change will also increase risks to people and communities, particularly older residents, those with underlying health conditions, and lower-income households, who are all more vulnerable to heatwaves and flooding. These impacts can harm health and put extra pressure on public services and council budgets. The action plans include actions to help communities prepare for and cope with these risks.

Local infrastructure, such as electricity networks, transport systems, and healthcare services, is also becoming more vulnerable to extreme weather. Much of this infrastructure was not designed for the hotter temperatures and heavier rainfall that are becoming more common. Without action, disruptions and costs are likely to increase.

The action plans also support nature recovery by using natural solutions to reduce climate risks. This includes improving habitats to help manage flooding, reducing overheating in towns and cities, lowering wildfire risk, and increasing resilience to drought.

Taking local action on climate change helps protect West Sussex and brings real benefits to local people. By investing in cleaner energy, better-insulated homes, and greener transport, we can help to lower energy bills, improve people's health, and protect homes, communities, and natural areas from flooding and other climate risks.

Action also helps make the county more secure and resilient. For example, energy-efficient buildings can stay cooler during heatwaves and use less energy. Other countries are already investing heavily in renewable energy, especially solar power, showing that the move to clean energy is already happening around the world. Acting now will help West Sussex benefit from these changes, while making communities safer, healthier, and better prepared for the future.

Delivery of the actions identified in the draft action plans will be contingent on a number of factors, including the outcomes of Local Government Reorganisation and devolution, availability of funding, and agreed ownership structures. During the course of the delivery of individual actions, it is possible that there will be potential short-term disruptions as mitigation and adaptation work is delivered, upfront costs associated with the transition away from fossil fuels or the deployment of climate adaptation interventions, and the need for ongoing political and public support for climate action. However, the benefits of this work, including increased energy independence and resilience, public health, and access to thriving natural environments for West Sussex residents, far outweigh the cost of transitioning.