In March 2024, Gloucester City Council approved an updated Climate Change Strategy, aiming for net-zero emissions in council operations by 2030, and carbon neutrality across the district by 2045.

After reviewing feedback from public and partner consultations, we approved most of the amendments to the strategy in March 2025, and we are now focused on moving ahead with its implementation.

Improved air quality, reduced flooding and a positive impact on mental health

A key part of this is the Gloucester Urban Greening Strategy (GUGS), an initiative brought forward by Councillor Sebastian Field in his environmental portfolio. The strategy will see us making Gloucester greener, with many benefits for residents, including improved air quality, reduced flooding, and a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing.

We will work closely with Gloucestershire County Council on a street tree plan that targets areas with the least tree canopy and highest levels of deprivation.

We will want to see county highways plant more trees along the highways and byways in the city, and to replace those trees that have been felled because of disease and death.

Replacing hard surfaces with rainwater gardens and mini woodlands

We will also identify council-owned land where we can replace hard surfaces with green spaces such as rainwater gardens and mini woodlands. These changes will help reduce surface water flooding and mitigate the impacts of extreme heat.

Going further, we will look to provide tree saplings to residents to help them green their own gardens and reduce flooding risks, alongside planting more trees across the city, with a target of 40% canopy cover on our first tree-lined residential street.

This is just the start. We are committed to improving life for all the residents of Gloucester, by greening our city for the future.