Wiltshire
« Change locationThe diagram below gives you a snapshot of Wiltshire. 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 Wiltshire, but feel free to skip straight to whatever topic chimes with you.
Click or tap one of the leaves to see more detail
Wiltshire's performance on energy is calculated using data related to renewable energy generation, fossil fuel investment and heat pumps in the area.
Wiltshire's performance on homes is based on data related to home insulation, eco-heating systems and recycling rates.
Wiltshire's performance on transport is based on data related to cycling rates and commutes made by low-carbon options.
Wiltshire's performance on nature is based on data related to woodland cover in the area, and access to green space.
Wiltshire'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.
Key stats from Wiltshire
How to reduce emissions in Wiltshire
Improve transport
According to government data, transport is responsible for 40% of Wiltshire'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.
Fix homes
According to government data, problems with Wiltshire’s housing sector are responsible for 34% 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.
Prioritise renewable energy
According to government data, Wiltshire 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.
Fix homes
Data also shows that poorly heated homes and issues with waste disposal in Wiltshire 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
Improve transport
Data also shows that transport is responsible for 40% of Wiltshire'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
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 Wiltshire. Could you and your local authority achieve something similar together?
Energy
20 Sep 2024
Learn how South Lakeland District Council's business support initiatives targeted a green recovery from coronavirus and helped small businesses to cut carbon emissions. Fostering a green economy is part of the 50-point Climate Action Plan for Councils under Action 43, to provide particular support to small and medium-sized enterprises to access funds and expertise, so they can contribute to carbon pollution reduction, nature restoration and the growth of the green economy.
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.
20 Sep 2024
Learn how Cambridgeshire County Council is developing successful solar farms. Using less fossil fuel-derived energy forms part of Action 31 of the 50-point Climate Action Plan for Councils: to reduce the energy used by the council in its own estate.
Transport
20 Sep 2024
Learn how Leicester City Council’s active travel strategy is boosting bus use and cycling in the city. This investment forms part of the 50-point Climate Action Plan for Councils under Action 21, to prioritise transport investment in cycling, walking and public transport, with a priority of installing segregated cycleways on most roads, increasing space for pedestrians, and introducing a 20 mph speed limit in urban areas.
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 Wiltshire. Could you and your local authority achieve something similar together?
Buildings
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.
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.
Transport
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.
20 Sep 2024
Learn how Southampton has cut air pollution by supporting greener taxis, buses and deliveries. Reducing air pollution is part of the 50-point Climate Action Plan for Councils, under Action 22: put in place Clean Air Zones, with charges if needed.
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 Wiltshire. Could you and your local authority achieve something similar together?
Buildings
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.
20 Sep 2024
Learn how Cotswold District Council appointed climate champions to make more progress on climate goals. Appointing climate champions is Action 2 in the 50-point Climate Action Plan for Councils: identify both a councillor at a cabinet level and a lead officer as Climate and Nature Champions, who are required to publish a twice-yearly independent and audited public report on progress in meeting climate change and nature targets.
Transport
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.
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.
Energy for Wiltshire
« Change locationEnergy 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 Wiltshire is performing against its targets. Could your local leaders do more to move away from fossil fuels?
Click or tap one of the leaves to see more detail
Wiltshire's performance on energy is calculated using data related to renewable energy generation, fossil fuel investment and heat pumps in the area.
Key energy stats for Wiltshire
573.3 GWh of renewable energy is currently generated in your area each year. Wiltshire needs to generate 1,090.54 GWh of energy per year to reach the target recommended by government advisors, the Climate Change Committee.
Friends of the Earth believes Wiltshire should be more ambitious and strive to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels by generating 2,181.08 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.
| Label | Value |
| CCC target for Wiltshire | 1,090.5 GWh |
| Friends of the Earth's target in Wiltshire | 2,181.1 GWh |
| Current output in Wiltshire | 573.2 GWh |
The expert's opinion
Heat pumps are green alternatives to the climate-wrecking oil and gas traditionally used to heat our homes.
There are currently 3,402 heat pumps in Wiltshire. To meet the 2030 target of the Climate Change Committee (the government's advisors), 4,746 heat pumps should be installed per year in Wiltshire.
Friends of the Earth believes Wiltshire could do better, and install 8,976 heat pumps per year to help keep homes warm and lower emissions.
| Label | Value |
| CCC target for heat pumps in Wiltshire by 2030 | 41,367 |
| Current number of heat pumps in Wiltshire | 3,402 |
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.
Wiltshire invests in fossil fuels through its contributions to Wiltshire Pension Fund, which still has £34,935,000 invested in these climate-wrecking fuels. The diagram shows the breakdown of that investment between oil and gas projects vs coal projects.
Wiltshire should divest completely from fossil fuels as soon as possible.
| Label | Value |
| Oil and gas | £23 m |
| Coal | £12 m |
Do people in Wiltshire want a wind turbine in the area?
60% of 1,119 people surveyed in Wiltshire 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.
| Label | Value |
| Yes | 60% |
| No | 29% |
| Don't know | 11% |
Homes in Wiltshire
« Change locationOur 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 Wiltshire is doing all it can to ensure you and your neighbours have decent places to live.
Click or tap one of the leaves to see more detail
Wiltshire's performance on homes is based on data related to home insulation, eco-heating systems and recycling rates.
Key stats for homes in Wiltshire
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 285 neighbourhoods in Wiltshire. Of these, we’ve identified 38 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.
| 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.
Properly insulated homes can help prevent energy wastage and combat fuel poverty by reducing eye-watering bills.
54% of homes in Wiltshire are rated EPC D to G, meaning they're not energy efficient. Of these, 33,100 homes would benefit from free loft insulation and 40,500 from free cavity wall insulation.
The government recommends that all homes be EPC C or above by 2035. To achieve that target, 9,292 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 Wiltshire should aim to help as many people as quickly as possible by upgrading insulation in at least 15,099 homes per year.
| Label | Value |
| Energy efficient homes target Wiltshire | 100% |
| Well-insulated homes in Eastleigh (best similar area) | 54% |
| Well-insulated homes in Wiltshire | 46% |
The human impact of the energy crisis
Heat pumps are green alternatives to the climate-wrecking oil and gas traditionally used to heat our homes.
There are currently 3,402 heat pumps in Wiltshire. To meet the 2030 target of the Climate Change Committee (the government's advisors), 4,746 heat pumps should be installed per year in Wiltshire.
Friends of the Earth believes Wiltshire could do better, and install 8,976 heat pumps per year to help keep homes warm and lower emissions.
| Label | Value |
| CCC target for heat pumps in Wiltshire by 2030 | 41,367 |
| Current number of heat pumps in Wiltshire | 3,402 |
Currently, 42% of waste in Wiltshire is reused, recycled or composted.
With its score of 64%, Vale of Glamorgan is the best performing area of its type.
Friends of the Earth believes Wiltshire should be more ambitious and aim to reuse, recycle or compost 100% of its household waste by 2030.
| Label | Value |
| Friends of the Earth's recycling target | 100% |
| Recycling rates in Vale of Glamorgan (the best performing similar local authority) | 64% |
| Wiltshire's current recycling rate | 42% |
93% of 1,118 people surveyed in Wiltshire say they make an effort to recycle according to 2021 YouGov national opinion polling.
| Label | Value |
| Yes | 93% |
| No | 5% |
| Don't know | 2% |
Transport in Wiltshire
« Change locationTransport is the biggest source of carbon emissions in the UK. Local authorities like Wiltshire 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 Wiltshire is performing against different transport targets and, where possible, how it compares to other areas.
Click or tap one of the leaves to see more detail
Wiltshire's performance on transport is based on data related to cycling rates and commutes made by low-carbon options.
Key transport stats for Wiltshire
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, 3% of people in Wiltshire commute to work by cycling. For reference, the highest score for this local authority category is 5%.
22% of commuter journeys in Wiltshire could be by bike, as long as there’s decent cycling infrastructure and an uptake in the use of e-bikes.
| Label | Value |
| Target for commutes by bike | 22% |
| Percentage of commutes by bike | 3% |
A green commute means traveling to work via low-carbon options, such as public transport, cycling, or walking.
22% of people in Wiltshire currently choose greener ways to commute.
Of those, 13% walk to work, 3% travel by bike and 6% use public transport.
Ashford is the best performing local authority of its category (24% opt for a green commute).
The Climate Change Committee (which advises government) has set Wiltshire and other similar local authorities a target of 30% of travel to be made by greener methods. Friends of the Earth thinks Wiltshire could do a little better, and aim for 40% of all travel.
| Label | Value |
| Government target | 30% |
| Commutes by low carbon forms of travel | 22% |
The expert's opinion
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 184 public EV charging points in Wiltshire.
According to government targets, Wiltshire should aim to install 3,082 EV charging points by 2030.
| Label | Value |
| Government target for EV charging points in Wiltshire | 3082 |
| Current number of EV charging points | 184 |
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.
| Label | Value |
Air pollution in Wiltshire
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.
Nature in Wiltshire
« Change locationThe 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 Wiltshire can help nature recover by improving land use and committing resources to nature restoration.
Click or tap one of the leaves to see more detail
Wiltshire's performance on nature is based on data related to woodland cover in the area, and access to green space.
Nature in Wiltshire
« Change locationThe 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.
Click or tap one of the leaves to see more detail
Wiltshire's performance on nature is based on data related to woodland cover in the area, and 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, 86% of people have good access to gardens, parks and open access land, whereas 14% live in neighbourhoods deprived of green space.
Is Wiltshire doing all it can to make sure all its residents can access their dose of the outdoors?
| Label | Value |
| Access to green space | 86% |
| Deprived of green space | 14% |
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
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.
13.3% of Wiltshire is covered in trees, of which 10.2% is woodland. The highest level of tree cover found is in Waverley (the best performing similar local authority) with 34%.
According to research by mapping experts Terra Sulis, 21,831 hectares of land may be suitable for new woodlands in Wiltshire. Of this, 32.4% 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.
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.
Health in Wiltshire
« Change locationOur 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?
Click or tap one of the leaves to see more detail
Wiltshire'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.
Key health stats for Wiltshire
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, 86% of people have good access to gardens, parks and open access land, whereas 14% live in neighbourhoods deprived of green space.
Is Wiltshire doing all it can to make sure all its residents can access their dose of the outdoors?
| Label | Value |
| Access to green space | 86% |
| Deprived of green space | 14% |
Access to nature
Zoom or drag to explore the full map. Click to see more detailed information for an area.
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.
| Label | Value |
Air pollution in Wiltshire
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.
The average person in Wiltshire currently consumes 278.4g 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 Wiltshire 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%.
| Label | Value |
The expert's opinion
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, 10% of households in Wiltshire 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.
Wiltshire should do all it can to help residents insulate their homes and keep warm.
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.
Community in Wiltshire
« Change locationA greener, healthier world should be possible for Wiltshire'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.
Wiltshire 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.
6,856 new green jobs could be created in Wiltshire by 2030, according to the Local Government Association.
Friends of the Earth is also calling for 1,490 green apprenticeships in Wiltshire by 2023, so we can ensure a better, more stable planet for future generations to inherit.
| Label | Value |
| Alternative fuels | 298 |
| Energy efficiency | 1,308 |
| Low carbon electricity | 2,163 |
| Low carbon heating | 1,430 |
| Low emissions vehicles | 1,224 |
| Low carbon services | 433 |
The expert's opinion
Climate groups near Wiltshire
Friends of the Earth has 250+ Climate Action groups across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Here are the groups in your area.
According to polling, 60% of 1119 people sampled in Wiltshire think that climate change is the biggest threat to civilisation.
Polling was conducted by YouGov in 2021.
| Label | Value |
| Yes | 60% |
| No | 29% |
| Don't know | 11% |
Connect with your local leaders
You have elected representatives at different levels of government in your area.
The local authority in Wiltshire 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
