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One planet living

We've set out ambitious goals to rise to the challenge of climate change. We also aim to achieve the Mayor's ambition of being carbon net neutral by 2029 as a council, and by 2039 as a town, and to be a lead authority on environmental issues.

Learn more about Middlesbrough's Green Strategy.

What is One Planet Living?

Middlesbrough Council was endorsed in November 2011 as a One Planet Living Council by leading international sustainability charity BioRegional. We are the first council in the North of England, and only the second in the country and across the world to receive this accreditation.

Under the One Planet Middlesbrough banner Middlesbrough Council are working in partnership with Middlesbrough Environment City to deliver practical actions to bring immediate and long term environmental, economic and social improvements to residents across the town.

One Planet Living is a holistic framework designed by sustainability experts BioRegional and WWF to encourage sustainable living. One Planet Living encourages communities to live within a fair share of the Earth's resources. Ecological Footprinting data shows us that if everyone lived like the average Middlesbrough or UK resident currently does, we would need three planets to support us, not one!

Calculate your own footprint with the One Planet Living Footprint calculator.

One Planet Living framework

Living sustainably not only reduces our consumption of natural resources but also helps us to lead greener, healthier and more affordable lifestyles.

The One Planet Living framework uses 10 easy to understand principles that inform and empower people to become more sustainable, living within their fair share of Earth's resources.

Additionally, the One Planet Middlesbrough programme helps us to tackle climate change, in part by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. Find out what you can do to help tackle climate change.

Zero carbon

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Making buildings energy efficient and delivering all energy with renewable technologies.

Zero waste

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Reducing waste, reusing where possible, and ultimately sending zero waste to landfill.

Sustainable transport

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Reducing the need to travel, and encouraging low and zero carbon modes or transport to reduce emissions.

Sustainable materials

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Using sustainable and healthy products, such as those with low embodied energy, sourced locally, made from renewable or waste resources.

Local and sustainable food

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Supporting sustainable and humane farming, promoting access to healthy, low impact, local, seasonal and organic diets and reducing food waste.

Sustainable water

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Using water efficiently in buildings, farming and manufacturing. Designing to avoid local issues such as flooding, drought and water course pollution.

Land use and wildlife

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Protecting and restoring biodiversity and creating new natural habitats through good land use and integration into the built environment.

Culture and community

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Respecting and reviving local identity, wisdom and culture; encouraging the involvement of people in shaping their community and creating a new culture of sustainability.

Equity and local economy

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Creating bioregional economies that support equity and diverse local employment and international fair trade.

Health and happiness

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Encouraging active, sociable, meaningful lives to promote good health and well being.

One Planet Middlesbrough 2017 - 2025

In 2011, Middlesbrough set a number of challenging targets to drive the city forward, and reduce its ecological footprint to reach One Planet levels. Every year we revise our approach and develop appropriate actions to drive forward Middlesbrough’s sustainability agenda, reduce our ecological footprint, and deliver long term environmental, social and economic improvements for the city and its residents. Read about One Planet Middlesbrough's plans from 2017 to 2025.

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