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Climate Action

Birmingham

« Change location

The diagram below gives you a snapshot of Birmingham. Each leaf represents how your area is performing on different topics, like energy and nature. Click or tap on one of the leaves to see more detail.

Unsure where to start? We’ve made some suggestions below on areas to focus on first in Birmingham, but feel free to skip straight to whatever topic chimes with you. 

Read the overview methodology

Click or tap one of the leaves to see more detail

Birmingham's performance on energy is calculated using data related to renewable energy generation, fossil fuel investment and heat pumps in the area. 

Birmingham's performance on homes is based on data related to home insulation, eco-heating systems and recycling rates.

Birmingham's performance on transport is based on data related to cycling rates and commutes made by low-carbon options.

Birmingham's performance on nature is based on data related to woodland cover in the area, and access to green space.

Birmingham's performance on health is based on data related to meat and dairy consumption, access to green space, and levels of fuel poverty in the area.

Label

Key stats from Birmingham

Population
1,140,525
Homes
448,812
ONS area type
Ethnically diverse metropolitan living

How to reduce emissions in Birmingham

Improve transport

According to government data, transport is responsible for 31% of Birmingham's climate-wrecking emissions.

Local authorities need to do all they can to encourage residents to travel by cycling, e-bikes and walking, as well as public transport, in order to lower emissions and improve air quality.

Find out more

Ningbo bridge tram extension over the A52 connecting Nottingham University with the Queen’s Medical Centre

Fix homes

According to government data, problems with Birmingham’s housing sector are responsible for 38% of the area’s emissions.

Making sure every home is insulated and providing grants for more climate-friendly heating could help lower energy bills and reduce emissions. What's more, it could ease the struggles many households now face because of the rising cost of living.

Find out more

Aerial photo of houses and gardens

Prioritise renewable energy

According to government data, Birmingham gets nearly all its energy from climate-wrecking fossil fuels.

That’s why we recommend prioritising renewable energy, which is key to reducing emissions from transport and making home heating cheaper and more efficient.

Find out more

Man installing solar panel

Fix homes

Data also shows that poorly heated homes and issues with waste disposal in Birmingham means that the housing sector is more polluting than it needs to be.

Making sure every home is insulated and providing grants for more climate-friendly heating could help lower energy bills and reduce emissions. What's more, it could ease the struggles many households now face because of the rising cost of living.

Find out more
Aerial photo of houses and gardens

Improve transport

Data also shows that transport is responsible for 31% of Birmingham's climate-wrecking emissions.

Local authorities need to do all they can to encourage residents to travel by cycling, e-bikes and walking, as well as public transport, in order to lower emissions and improve air quality.

Find out more
Ningbo bridge tram extension over the A52 connecting Nottingham University with the Queen’s Medical Centre

Learn from others

Change in your area is possible. Sometimes all it takes is a conversation between residents and councillors to get things off the ground. We’ve collated some examples to help get you thinking about how to improve energy in Birmingham. Could you and your local authority achieve something similar together?

Energy


Two women looking at a device and stood in front of a boiler
How Wiltshire is making homes warmer and more energy efficient

20 Sep 2024

Wiltshire Council runs a fuel poverty support service and is retrofitting council housing. This case study relates to Actions 11 and 13 of the 50-point Climate Action Plan for Councils. Action 11 includes targeting policies, actions and spending towards people most at risk of fuel poverty, while Action 13 involves retrofitting council-owned properties.

Climate Action
Resources
Stock piles of coking coal, at a steel making plant.
How Waltham Forest has divested pensions out of fossil fuels

20 Sep 2024

Learn how Waltham Forest has divested pensions out of fossil fuels and is switching to green investments. Divesting all investments from fossil fuels, including any pension funds, and investing in renewable energy projects instead is Action 35 of the 50-point Climate Action Plan for Councils.

Climate Action
Resources

Transport


An elevated view of Beaconsfield Old Town in Buckinghamshire, UK.
How regional transport bodies can boost low-carbon travel

20 Sep 2024

Learn how regional transport bodies can boost low-carbon travel. Ensuring the Sub-national Transport Body strategy is in line with carbon budgets, is Action 41 of the 50-point Climate Action Plan for Councils.

Climate Action
Resources
A warehouse full of white electric vans
How Leeds is making all council vehicles electric

20 Sep 2024

Learn how Leeds City Council is making all its vehicles electric and helping residents and businesses do the same. Transitioning to electric vehicles is one of 50 climate actions for councils, under Action 25, to deliver a rapid transition of the council’s own fleet to electric vehicles.

Climate Action
Resources
Read more of our case studies

Learn from others

Change in your area is possible. Sometimes all it takes is a conversation between residents and councillors to get things off the ground. We’ve collated some examples to help get you thinking about how to improve transport in Birmingham. Could you and your local authority achieve something similar together?

Buildings


Drawing of two tower blocks
How landlord engagement and licensing is creating warmer homes in Liverpool

20 Sep 2024

Learn how Liverpool City Council is creating warmer homes, by engaging with landlords and introducing a new 5-year selective licensing designation. This case study relates to Actions 10 and 15 of the 50-point Climate Action Plan for Councils. Action 10 involves implementing private-rented sector licensing to cover the enforcement costs of energy-efficiency compliance, while Action 15 is about rapidly enforcing minimum energy-efficiency standards and encouraging higher EPC levels in the private-rented sector.

Climate Action
Resources
Planning meeting in an office with three people
How Cornwall Council uses a simple tool to make decisions

20 Sep 2024

Discover how Cornwall Council used a simple, locally-tailored tool to check the social and planetary impact of its plans and guide decision-making right across the council. Checking whether council decisions would help or hinder climate action forms part of Action 1 of the 50-point Climate Action Plan for Councils.

Climate Action

Transport


Woman plugs in a charger for an electric car
How Durham is promoting the use of electric vehicles

20 Sep 2024

Learn how Durham County Council is encouraging a shift to electric vehicles by installing more than 200 charging points. This approach forms part of the 50-point Climate Action Plan for Councils under Action 20 – to enable a rapid shift to electric vehicles by installing electric vehicle charging points.

Climate Action
Resources
Thumbnail
How Southwark is cutting cars and boosting health

20 Sep 2024

Reducing car use and encouraging active travel can help reduce emissions and lower pollution levels. Under its Streets for People strategy, Southwark Council is expanding on earlier measures, part-funded by a local health charity, to encourage active travel and support areas most affected by child obesity and poor air quality. Reducing car use forms part of Action 23 of our 50-point Climate Action Plan for Councils.

Climate Action
Climate Action
Read more of our case studies

Learn from others

Change in your area is possible. Sometimes all it takes is a conversation between residents and councillors to get things off the ground. We’ve collated some examples to help get you thinking about how to improve housing in Birmingham. Could you and your local authority achieve something similar together?

Buildings


Aerial view of reading cityscape in the sun
How Reading uses planning to deliver new zero-carbon homes

20 Sep 2024

Learn how Reading Borough Council is using planning to ensure new homes are built to zero-carbon standards. This is part of Action 16 under the 50-point Climate Action Plan for Councils. Through Local Plan policies, councils should require that new housing development is zero carbon by 2025, including the incorporation of renewable energy in the development, using low-carbon materials, and building to extremely high energy-efficient standards (higher than current national standards) using the Passivhaus standard or similar.

Climate Action
Resources
Solar panels on the rooves of houses
How York is building 400 zero-carbon homes

20 Sep 2024

City of York Council is building 400 zero-carbon homes, using the innovative Passivhaus approach as part of its Climate Action Plan. Zero-carbon homes form part of Action 18 in the 50-point Climate Action Plan for Councils, to require buildings on council land to be extremely energy efficient, using the Passivhaus standard or similar.

Climate Action
Resources

Transport


Woman plugs in a charger for an electric car
How Durham is promoting the use of electric vehicles

20 Sep 2024

Learn how Durham County Council is encouraging a shift to electric vehicles by installing more than 200 charging points. This approach forms part of the 50-point Climate Action Plan for Councils under Action 20 – to enable a rapid shift to electric vehicles by installing electric vehicle charging points.

Climate Action
Resources
The back view of a red bus driving into a green valley
How Hope Valley is cutting rural transport emissions

20 Sep 2024

Hope Valley Climate Action is collaborating with Derbyshire County Council to encourage active travel, improve public transport and decrease car use in the community. Prioritising transport investment in walking, cycling and public transport forms Action 21 in the 50-point Climate Action Plan for Councils.

Climate Action
Resources
Read more of our case studies

Paths to action

Join a Climate Action group
Find out how to get involved in climate action near Birmingham.
Spark a conversation
We hold regular online workshops so you can gain the skills and knowledge you need to take climate action.
Learn from others
Learn from tried and tested initiatives helping local authorities tackle the climate crisis.
About this tool Data Methodology Contact us

See the JSON data for Birmingham

Energy for Birmingham

« Change location

Energy from wind and solar is now cheaper than coal and gas to produce. We need to produce 7x more renewable energy than our current output if we’re to secure warm, affordable homes for everyone and power industry and transport with green energy.

We’ve analysed data from a range of reputable sources to set individual targets for each local authority. Explore the page to see how Birmingham is performing against its targets. Could your local leaders do more to move away from fossil fuels?

Read the energy methodology

Click or tap one of the leaves to see more detail

Birmingham's performance on energy is calculated using data related to renewable energy generation, fossil fuel investment and heat pumps in the area. 

Label

Key energy stats for Birmingham

9,536
typical homes could be powered each year by the renewable energy produced in Birmingham.
£508 m
is invested in fossil fuels by the West Midlands Pension Fund, which Birmingham Council contributes towards.
61%
of 1,513 people surveyed in Birmingham wouldn’t mind a wind turbine in their area.

Birmingham is nowhere near its renewable energy target

27.7 GWh of renewable energy is currently generated in your area each year. Birmingham needs to generate 309.3 GWh of energy per year to reach the target recommended by government advisors, the Climate Change Committee.

Friends of the Earth believes Birmingham should be more ambitious and strive to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels by generating 618.6 GWh per year.

Local authorities can increase renewable energy output and lower emissions by identifying areas suitable for generation, switching street lights to LED and reducing energy use in council-owned buildings. 

Read the methodology

Offshore wind farm
Label Value
CCC target for Birmingham 309.3 GWh
Friends of the Earth's target in Birmingham 618.6 GWh
Current output in Birmingham 27.7 GWh

The expert's opinion

“We need to end our reliance on extractive fossil fuel industries. Here in the UK, we've got colossal renewable energy resources to help us reduce emissions. Wind, wave, sun and other sources such as tidal energy have huge potential. There are lots of opportunities for green jobs and for people to create more community ownership of energy generation.”
— Sana Yusuf, Climate Campaigner

Lots more heat pumps needed in Birmingham

Heat pumps are green alternatives to the climate-wrecking oil and gas traditionally used to heat our homes.  

There are currently 402 heat pumps in Birmingham. To meet the 2030 target of the Climate Change Committee (the government's advisors),  10,301 heat pumps should be installed per year in Birmingham. 

Friends of the Earth believes Birmingham could do better, and install 18,771 heat pumps per year to help keep homes warm and lower emissions.  

Read the methodology

Photo of heat pump on external wall of a house with blossom in the foreground.
Heat pump outside a home © Mike Childs
Label Value
CCC target for heat pumps in Birmingham by 2030 82,812
Current number of heat pumps in Birmingham 402

Fossil fuel investments in Birmingham

According to polling, most of us want our pension pot to be invested in safe, ethical companies. But for years, UK councils have invested billions of pounds of our pension money in companies drilling for new coal, gas and oil.

Birmingham invests in fossil fuels through its contributions to West Midlands Pension Fund, which still has £508,139,000 invested in these climate-wrecking fuels. The diagram shows the breakdown of that investment between oil and gas projects vs coal projects.

Birmingham should divest completely from fossil fuels as soon as possible.

Read the methodology

Offshore wind farm
Label Value
Oil and gas £318 m
Coal £190 m

What do your neighbours think?

Do people in Birmingham want a wind turbine in the area?

61% of 1,513 people surveyed in Birmingham say they wouldn’t mind a wind turbine in their area, according to 2021 polling by YouGov. 

Onshore wind produces the cheapest electricity, so wind farms will lead to reduced energy bills, greatest energy security, and cut carbon emissions.

Read the methodology

Pie chart
Label Value
Yes 61%
No 25%
Don't know 14%

Ways to act

Learn from others
Discover tried-and-tested initiatives from councils prioritising renewable energy. Could you and your council work together to do something similar?
Build your skills
Explore webinars on offer to grassroots groups and access our free library of training videos to help build your campaigning skills.
Lobbying. What's it all about?
Find out how to encourage and work with your local leaders on issues that matter to you and your community.
About this tool Data Methodology Contact us

See the JSON data for Birmingham

Homes in Birmingham

« Change location

Our homes should be a source of comfort. Yet things like soaring bills and poor public services can impact our efforts to keep a home warm and clean.  
 
Uncover the data to see whether Birmingham is doing all it can to ensure you and your neighbours have decent places to live. 

Read the homes methodology

Click or tap one of the leaves to see more detail

Birmingham's performance on homes is based on data related to home insulation, eco-heating systems and recycling rates.

Label

Key stats for homes in Birmingham

22,462
homes a year need insulation upgrades to ensure all homes in Birmingham are properly insulated by 2035.
22%
of household waste is reused, recycled, or composted in Birmingham.
10,301
heat pumps should be installed per year in Birmingham to meet 2030 targets.

Birmingham and the energy crisis

The energy crisis affects us all differently. Neighbourhoods with below-average incomes and higher-than-average energy bills must be prioritised for urgent support by local authorities.

There are 639 neighbourhoods in Birmingham. Of these, we’ve identified 415 neighbourhoods that most need support to help keep homes warm and bills down.

The type of support suggested in the map is determined by factors such as proportion of rental vs owned homes, and current household energy efficiency performance. 
 

Read the methodology

Drawing of two tower blocks
Retrofit homes to tackle fuel poverty
Label Value

The energy crisis

Explore the map to see which neighbourhoods need the most urgent support to deal with the energy crisis.

Zoom or drag to explore the full map. Click to see more detailed information for an area.

Birmingham needs more well-insulated homes

Properly insulated homes can help prevent energy wastage and combat fuel poverty by reducing eye-watering bills.

65% of homes in Birmingham are rated EPC D to G, meaning they're not energy efficient. Of these, 70,400 homes would benefit from free loft insulation and 81,100 from free cavity wall insulation.  

The government recommends that all homes be EPC C or above by 2035. To achieve that target,  22,462 homes need to be insulated per year. But that means people already struggling with energy bills could face many more years of cold and hardship.

Friends of the Earth thinks Birmingham should aim to help as many people as quickly as possible by upgrading insulation in at least  36,501 homes per year.

Read the methodology

Person in a loft installing insulation
Person installing loft insulation © Ashley Cooper via Getty Images
Label Value
Energy efficient homes target Birmingham 100%
Well-insulated homes in Greenwich (best similar area) 56%
Well-insulated homes in Birmingham 35%

The human impact of the energy crisis

“My oncologist said to me 'can you keep your flat at so-and-so temperature?' I said 'well if you pay for me, I'll do it, but I can't.' I live payday to payday, so I have to cut my corners accordingly.”
— Colin from Bodmin, Cornwall

Lots more heat pumps needed in Birmingham

Heat pumps are green alternatives to the climate-wrecking oil and gas traditionally used to heat our homes.  

There are currently 402 heat pumps in Birmingham. To meet the 2030 target of the Climate Change Committee (the government's advisors),  10,301 heat pumps should be installed per year in Birmingham. 

Friends of the Earth believes Birmingham could do better, and install 18,771 heat pumps per year to help keep homes warm and lower emissions.  

Read the methodology

Photo of heat pump on external wall of a house with blossom in the foreground.
Heat pump outside a home © Mike Childs
Label Value
CCC target for heat pumps in Birmingham by 2030 82,812
Current number of heat pumps in Birmingham 402

More recycling is needed in Birmingham

Currently, 22% of waste in Birmingham is reused, recycled or composted.

With its score of 41%, Croydon is the best performing area of its type.

Friends of the Earth believes Birmingham should be more ambitious and aim to reuse, recycle or compost 100% of its household waste by 2030.

Read the methodology

Photo of wheelie bins lined up on a street in Yorkshire, UK
Wheelie bins in Yorkshire © R A Kearton via Getty Images
Label Value
Friends of the Earth's recycling target 100%
Recycling rates in Croydon (the best performing similar local authority) 41%
Birmingham's current recycling rate 22%

Do people in Birmingham make an effort to recycle?

78% of 1,513 people surveyed in Birmingham say they make an effort to recycle according to 2021 YouGov national opinion polling. 

Read the methodology

Pie chart
Label Value
Yes 78%
No 14%
Don't know 8%

Paths to action

Learn from others
Discover tried-and-tested initiatives from councils prioritising the insulation and energy efficiency of buildings. Could you and your council work together to do something similar?
Join United for Warm Homes
United for Warm Homes is a coalition of people working together to make energy bills affordable for everyone and end fuel poverty. Visit the website and join the campaign.
Build your skills
We hold regular online workshops so you can gain the skills and knowledge you need to take climate action.
About this tool Data Methodology Contact us

See the JSON data for Birmingham

Transport in Birmingham

« Change location

Transport is the biggest source of carbon emissions in the UK. Local authorities like Birmingham have an important role to play in reducing those emissions, tackling air pollution and changing our transport systems for the better. 

Explore the page to see how Birmingham is performing against different transport targets and, where possible, how it compares to other areas. 

Read the transport methodology

Click or tap one of the leaves to see more detail

Birmingham's performance on transport is based on data related to cycling rates and commutes made by low-carbon options.

Label

Key transport stats for Birmingham

24%
of people commute to work using public transport.
389
charging devices for electric vehicles are available in Birmingham.
64%
of people surveyed believe we should drive less.

Commutes by cycling are rare in Birmingham

Cycling produces next to no emissions and is therefore one of the most climate-friendly ways to travel. It also benefits our health and wellbeing. 
 
Currently, 2% of people in Birmingham commute to work by cycling. For reference, the highest score for this local authority category is 4%.

28% of commuter journeys in Birmingham could be by bike, as long as there’s decent cycling infrastructure and an uptake in the use of e-bikes.

Read the methodology

Person cycling down a street
Person cycling down a street © Patrick Fraser via Getty Images
Label Value
Target for commutes by bike 28%
Percentage of commutes by bike 2%

Green commute

A green commute means traveling to work via low-carbon options, such as public transport, cycling, or walking. 

35% of people in Birmingham currently choose greener ways to commute.

Of those, 10% walk to work, 2% travel by bike and 24% use public transport.

Newham is the best performing local authority of its category (77% opt for a green commute).

The Climate Change Committee (which advises government) has set Birmingham and other similar local authorities a target of  70% of travel to be made by greener methods. Friends of the Earth thinks Birmingham could do a little better, and aim for 80% of all travel. 

Read the methodology

Transport graphic
Transport graphic
Label Value
Government target 70%
Commutes by low carbon forms of travel 35%

The expert's opinion

“Walking infrastructure in the UK needs to be safer and more socially inclusive, especially for older people and those with young children. Longer traffic light crossing times and wider pavements with better surfaces can help reduce social isolation.”
— Ridhi Kalaria, Partnerships Manager at Sustrans West Midlands

Birmingham needs far more EV charging points

Electric cars and vans help lower fuel costs and noise pollution, and avoid pumping out harmful pollutants. Local authorities can help make electric vehicles (EV) a more attractive choice for their residents by installing public charging points.

There are currently 389 public EV charging points in Birmingham.

According to government targets, Birmingham should aim to install 3,748 EV charging points by 2030.

Read the methodology

Photo of a parked car hooked up to an EV charging point
© Malcolm P Chapman via Getty Images
Label Value
Government target for EV charging points in Birmingham 3748
Current number of EV charging points 389

Birmingham has dangerously high levels of air pollution

We suffer unnecessarily high levels of air pollution in the UK.  

While there are multiple sources contributing to our poor air quality, road traffic is particularly notorious because it’s largely responsible for unsafe levels of nitrogen oxide. As with most climate issues, it’s the people that contribute the least to the problem that are most impacted: households in neighbourhoods with the worst air pollution are up to 3 times less likely to own a car than those in the least polluted areas. 

Councils are required to address areas with illegal levels of air pollution, and a couple of ways they can do this is by reducing road traffic and making public transport and active travel accessible for everyone.  

Read the methodology

A row of cars with exhaust fumes
Label Value

Air pollution in Birmingham

Zoom into the map to see the schools, play spaces and parks within your area, and whether they’re affected by air pollution.

Zoom or drag to explore the full map. Click to see more detailed information for an area.

Learn from others
Learn from tried and tested initiatives helping local authorities improve active travel and public transport.
Build your skills
We hold regular online workshops so you can gain the skills and knowledge you need to take climate action.
Spark a conversation
Do you need to set up a social media account for your community group? Follow our guidelines on using these platforms and help boost your group’s profile and grow your follower base.
About this tool Data Methodology Contact us

See the JSON data for Birmingham

Nature in Birmingham

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The health of our natural world impacts us all. Without biodiversity and good quality green spaces, we lose valuable carbon stores and essentials such as food and fresh water. What’s more, it’s proven that time in nature is good for our wellbeing. 

But our natural world is suffering. Local leaders in areas like Birmingham can help nature recover by improving land use and committing resources to nature restoration. 

Read the nature methodology

Click or tap one of the leaves to see more detail

Birmingham's performance on nature is based on data related to woodland cover in the area, and access to green space.

Label

Nature in Birmingham

« Change location

The health of our natural world impacts us all. Without biodiversity and good quality green spaces, we lose valuable carbon stores and essentials such as food and fresh water. What’s more, it’s proven that time in nature is good for our wellbeing.  

But our natural world is suffering. Councils in Wales can help nature recover by improving land use and committing resources to nature restoration. 

Data specific to Welsh councils on things like woodland opportunity and access to green space is not yet available on this tool, but whether you’re a campaigner or a councillor, you can still explore our library of nature-based initiatives below to help inspire action. 

Read the nature methodology

Click or tap one of the leaves to see more detail

Birmingham's performance on nature is based on data related to woodland cover in the area, and access to green space.

Label

Birmingham needs better access to green space

Good quality green spaces are essential to cooling our towns and reducing flood risk. And they’re also proven to be great for our health, helping reduce heart disease, obesity, and depression. In fact, green spaces save the NHS more than £100 million each year in GP visits and prescriptions. 

Despite all their benefits, green spaces are out of reach for certain communities.

In your area, 55% of people have good access to gardens, parks and open access land, whereas 45% live in neighbourhoods deprived of green space.

Is Birmingham doing all it can to make sure all its residents can access their dose of the outdoors? 

Read the methodology

Illustration of people walking outside around trees.
Label Value
Access to green space 55%
Deprived of green space 45%

Do you live close to green space?

Explore the map to find out which areas in your local authority are in need of more green space.

Zoom or drag to explore the full map. Click to see more detailed information for an area.

The expert's opinion

“There are many different demographics in London and other areas of the country for whom nature isn't accessible. If children don’t have access to nature, it sets up a formative experience which will last throughout their life”
— Beth Collier, Founder of Wild in the City

Tree cover and woodland opportunities

Where do we need more trees?

Following centuries of destruction of our ancient woodlands and forests, just 10% of England is now covered in woodland, compared to an EU average of 38%. Many of our urban areas also have very poor tree cover.

16.5% of Birmingham is covered in trees, of which 6.1% is woodland. The highest level of tree cover found is in Surrey Heath (the best performing similar local authority) with 36.1%. 

According to research by mapping experts Terra Sulis, 23 hectares of land may be suitable for new woodlands in Birmingham. Of this, 24.7% could be delivered through rewilding schemes. Don’t worry if woodland opportunity in your area is low as, due to data limitations, the map doesn't identify the potential for new trees in urban areas such as street trees, public parks and gardens. More of these street trees are also needed, and the council should set a target of at least 10% for all neighbourhoods, with an aspiration of reaching 20%. See how Hackney has been increasing urban tree cover and green space.

Read the methodology

Tree cover and woodland opportunities

Zoom or drag to explore the full map. Click to see more detailed information for an area.

A guide to our trees map

Our tree cover and woodland opportunity map shows how deprived of tree cover many areas in England are, especially lower income neighbourhoods. It also reveals it would be possible to almost double woodland cover in England without encroaching on high-value arable farmland, Priority Habitats, peat bogs or protected nature sites. Find out more about the key findings, methodology and top locations for tree planting.

Learn more about our trees map
Trees in autumn

Paths to action

Learn from others
Discover tried-and-tested initiatives from councils prioritising the protection of green spaces. Could you and your council work together to do something similar?
Build your skills
We hold regular online workshops so you can gain the skills and knowledge you need to take climate action.
Spark a conversation
Do you need to set up a social media account for your community group? Follow our guidelines on using these platforms and help boost your group’s profile and grow your follower base.
About this tool Data Methodology Contact us

See the JSON data for Birmingham

Health in Birmingham

« Change location

Our health is hugely affected by the air we breathe, the food we eat, and our surrounding environment.  

Things like pollution, poorly insulated homes and a lack of green space can tip the odds against our chance of a healthy life. 

 Are there ways your local authority could reduce the health risks for you and your neighbours?

Read the health methodology

Click or tap one of the leaves to see more detail

Birmingham's performance on health is based on data related to meat and dairy consumption, access to green space, and levels of fuel poverty in the area.

Label

Key health stats for Birmingham

54
neighbourhoods in Birmingham are deprived of green space.
313g
of meat and dairy is consumed by the average person in Birmingham per day.
504
schools in Birmingham affected by air pollution.

Birmingham needs better access to green space

Good quality green spaces are essential to cooling our towns and reducing flood risk. And they’re also proven to be great for our health, helping reduce heart disease, obesity, and depression. In fact, green spaces save the NHS more than £100 million each year in GP visits and prescriptions. 

Despite all their benefits, green spaces are out of reach for certain communities.

In your area, 55% of people have good access to gardens, parks and open access land, whereas 45% live in neighbourhoods deprived of green space.

Is Birmingham doing all it can to make sure all its residents can access their dose of the outdoors? 

Read the methodology

Illustration of people walking outside around trees.
Label Value
Access to green space 55%
Deprived of green space 45%

Access to nature

Zoom or drag to explore the full map. Click to see more detailed information for an area.

Birmingham has dangerously high levels of air pollution

Air pollution is the UK’s largest environmental health risk, causing up to 36,000 early deaths each year.  

Dirty air leads to worsening respiratory symptoms, heart disease and even lung cancer. Air pollution has even been associated with changes in the brain linked to dementia and can lead to children growing up with smaller lungs. All of which put place additional stress on our health services. 

Councils are required take action in areas with illegal levels of air pollution. In order to improve air quality and reduce the risk to our health, they should urgently introduce measures to reduce road traffic and make public transport and active travel accessible for everyone.

Read the methodology

A row of cars with exhaust fumes
Label Value

Air pollution in Birmingham

Zoom into the map to see the schools, play spaces and parks within your area, and whether they’re affected by air pollution.

Zoom or drag to explore the full map. Click to see more detailed information for an area.

Meat and dairy intake

The average person in Birmingham currently consumes 313.1g of meat and dairy each day.  

Too much meat and dairy can lead to illnesses like heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Friends of the Earth and numerous health groups believe Birmingham should aim to halve its meat and dairy intake, as part of a UK-wide target of 50% reduction. 

Halving the amount of meat and dairy we consume won’t just benefit our health, it’ll also cut emissions from agriculture by 25-40%. 

Read the methodology

Two bottles of milk, one full and one half-full, indicating a 50% reduction in consumption
Two bottles of milk, one full and one half-full, indicating a 50% reduction in consumption
Label Value

The expert's opinion

“We urgently need to shift to eating and producing less and better meat and dairy in the UK. Research shows that eating meat no more than 3 times a week could prevent 45,000 early deaths and save the NHS around £1.2 billion a year. ”
— Clare Oxborrow, Senior Sustainability Analyst at Friends of the Earth

Fuel poverty

Fuel poverty affects people that struggle to heat their homes properly. Cold homes can mean a higher chance of respiratory illness and are particularly harmful to those with pre-existing health conditions.

According to government data, 22% of households in Birmingham currently live in fuel poverty.

However, that number is set to increase because of the rising cost of living and soaring energy bills. The energy crisis map shows the neighbourhoods most in need of support, and the type of support that could be most useful.

Birmingham should do all it can to help residents insulate their homes and keep warm. 

Read the methodology

Energy crisis

Explore the map to see which neighbourhoods need the most urgent support to deal with the energy crisis.

Zoom or drag to explore the full map. Click to see more detailed information for an area.

Learn from others
Learn from tried and tested initiatives helping local authorities tackle the climate crisis.
Build your skills
We hold regular online workshops so you can gain the skills and knowledge you need to take climate action.
Spark a conversation
Do you need to set up a social media account for your community group? Follow our guidelines on using these platforms and help boost your group’s profile and grow your follower base.
About this tool Data Methodology Contact us

See the JSON data for Birmingham

Community in Birmingham

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A greener, healthier world should be possible for Birmingham's entire community – not just those that can afford to make eco-friendly choices. 

That’s why ensuring every resident gets a fair say and engaging local leaders are both vital to making a difference in your area.  

From generating new green jobs to building relationships with local people, find out what can be done to make your community better for everyone. 

Read the community methodology

Green job opportunities

Birmingham could create more jobs

Green jobs are jobs that include a focus on reducing carbon emissions or restoring nature. They can provide long-term livelihoods for employees and help address unemployment in the area. 

9,879 new green jobs could be created in Birmingham by 2030, according to the Local Government Association. 

Friends of the Earth is also calling for 9,080 green apprenticeships in Birmingham by 2023, so we can ensure a better, more stable planet for future generations to inherit. 

Read the methodology

Photo of wheelie bins lined up on a street in Yorkshire, UK
Wheelie bins in Yorkshire © R A Kearton via Getty Images
Label Value
Alternative fuels 409
Energy efficiency 2,645
Low carbon electricity 718
Low carbon heating 2,890
Low emissions vehicles 1,557
Low carbon services 1,659

The expert's opinion

“Elections are a great way to have a say in your local community, but they’re not the only time you can use your voice. Whether you’re meeting with your local councillors, organising community events or taking practical action like tree-planting - working with others in your community is the best way to campaign for local action on climate and nature.”
— Rose Taylor, Campaign Activism Advisor at Friends of the Earth

Climate groups near Birmingham

Friends of the Earth has 250+ Climate Action groups across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Here are the groups in your area.

Do your neighbours think climate is an issue?

According to polling,  61% of 1513 people sampled in Birmingham think that climate change is the biggest threat to civilisation.

Polling was conducted by YouGov in 2021.

Read the methodology

Pie chart
Label Value
Yes 61%
No 25%
Don't know 14%

Connect with your local leaders

You have elected representatives at different levels of government in your area.

The local authority in Birmingham looks after local services like council housing, waste collection and road maintenance.

Find out how to work with your elected representatives by using WriteToThem.

It's an independent website with no government affiliation and you can use it to write to any of your representatives, from your councillors to your MPs.

WriteToThem
Write To Them screenshot

Paths to action

Understanding how your council works
Approaching your council for the first time can be confusing. But you don’t need to be an expert to work with your council – often it’s simply knowing the right person to contact. This guide will help you get your head around how your council works and who you need to speak to.
Spark a conversation
Do you need to set up a social media account for your community group? Follow our guidelines on using these platforms and help boost your group’s profile and grow your follower base.
Building local alliances
Need support on building alliances with local organisations, institutions or businesses? Read our guide which explains how to find potential allies to work with on your campaigns, and tips and tools for how to go about building those relationships.
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See the JSON data for Birmingham

People’s Postcode Lottery

With thanks to the players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Their support is helping power this initiative.

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