Previous Engagement

See more about Surrey's residents prioritises

Climate Change Delivery Plan

Previous Engagement

Surrey County Council takes every effort to understand what our residents’ priorities are. Our Resident Insight Unit (RIU) conducts monthly polling on resident concerns, and alongside healthcare and the NHS, climate change and environment are consistently featured in the top 5 pressing priorities.

The Greener Futures team also engages and consults with residents, and research done for us by Temple Group shows that the overwhelming majority of Surrey residents think action on climate change and environment are a top priority. In fact only 5% of residents think it’s ‘not important’.

Polling done in May’s Customer Panel by the RIU on behalf of Greener Futures shows that many residents are already seeing the impacts of climate change and nature loss, and even though residents rate the issue as a top priority, nearly 1/3 of us don’t take action because we don’t know how.

The next 5 year climate change delivery plan will feature many components that can improve the everyday lives of residents, be it through supporting home energy efficiency upgrades, improving access to nature, and aiming to prioritise traditional forms of transport like walking and cycling which have a positive impact on health, whilst reducing the impacts of air pollution on our residents, and we encourage all residents to join us at one of our engagement events to discuss how you can take action and help to co-design the next delivery plan.

Pie chart: We asked Surrey residents: How important is action on climate change and the environment to you today? Somewhat important - 27%, Not important - 5%, Extremely important - 32%, Very important - 36%

Bar chart: We asked Surrey residents: What do you love most about where you live? Access to nature or green space - 80%, Safe and secure - 40%, Local shopping/access to amenities - 35%, Ease of getting around - 30%, Good schools - 20%, Leisure, social and cultural activities - 20%, Local heritage - 20%, inclusive and friendly - 18%, clean and environmentally friendly - 15%, good local job opportunities - 10%, Well run by Government / local authority - 5%, youth and child activities - 5%, value for money - 5%, good quality and affordable housing - 1%

Alt Text: A bar chart titled "We asked Surrey residents: What are the biggest shared issues of the community where you live?" showing various community concerns and their approximate percentages: Busy and/or polluted roads – 50% Lack of access to healthcare/GP surgeries – 30% Lack of activities for young people – 25% Litter/pollution – 20% Poorly run by Government/local Authority – 18% Doesn't feel safe/anti-social behaviour – 15% Lack of public transport – 12% Poor connectivity – 10% Lack of local shopping/access to amenities – 8% Homes in poor condition/at risk of energy inefficiency – 7% Infrequent leisure, social or cultural activities – 6% Lack of local job opportunities – 5% Isolation – 4.5% Lack of culture/heritage – 4.2% Lack of access to nature and green space – 3.8% Lack of access to good schools – 3.5%

A bar chart titled "Have you seen any impacts of climate change or environmental degradation in your local area?" showing responses from Surrey residents. The chart includes the following categories and approximate percentages: Overheating – 10% Damage to building infrastructure – 10% Loss of business – 15% More fires – 15% None of the above – 20% Drought – 25% Increased flooding – 30% Disruption to trainlines or roads – 35% Reduction in wildlife or habitat loss – 40%

A bar chart titled "We asked Surrey residents:" with the subtitle "If you would like to take more action on restoring Surrey's countryside or tackling climate change yourself, but find it difficult, please tell us what barriers you have." The chart displays six barriers with corresponding approximate percentages: "I don't care about this issue" – 5% "There are no local groups to join" – 10% "I don't want to take more action" – 15% "I don't have enough time" – 25% "I don't know how" – 30% "I am struggling with more pressing daily issues" – 45%

Discover more

Join a climate change workshop

Apply to be part of one our in-person workshops and help us shape the next five-year delivery plan.

Posted:

Paddle boarder. Photo from Surrey Hills Landscape Management

About the delivery plan

Find out more about the development of the Climate Change Delivery Plan for 2026 to 2031.

Posted:

Open

Your climate change priority areas

Put a pin in the map to tell us your top climate change priorities in your area.

Project:Climate Change Delivery Plan

Participate Now

Stay Informed

Follow our projects to get notified of upcoming engagements and the latest project related news.