Business & Economy Decarbonisation Routemap launches
On Thursday 26 March, the Economic Development, Skills and Culture Policy Committee approved the Business & Economy Decarbonisation Routemap, a new business‑led plan to support Sheffield companies to cut carbon emissions, reduce costs and build long‑term resilience.
The routemap has been co‑designed with Sheffield businesses, shaped through workshops, interviews and steering‑group oversight, and sets out clear, practical actions that businesses can take whatever stage they are at.
You can read the routemap and accompanying report on the committee’s webpage.
There will be a launch event for the routemap on 22 April, supported by the Chamber of Commerce’s Sustainable Business Network, further details in events section.
The Sheffield City Council’s Built for Change programme is supporting 12 Sheffield education providers to become more resilient to extreme weather. The schools are receiving funding and officer support to install adaptations to overheating and flooding. Work started at the first three schools over February half term, and students returned to new rainwater harvesting, playground shading and reflective windows to keep classrooms cooler.
 Progress shared on key climate priorities
The March Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee considered the progress on a number of key pieces of climate action work including the Local Area Energy Plan, the Sheffield Climate Investment fund raise, the Heat Network Zoning Project and Advanced Zoning Pilot, the Flood Protection Programme and the Built for Change programme.
Increased recycling options coming to Sheffield
From April 2026, Sheffield residents will be able to recycle a wider range of plastics and metals in their brown bins.
From July onwards, larger blue bins will be delivered, allowing more paper and card to be recycled.
For more information on which new items can be recycled from April, and for links to the wider council plans for recycling, see below.
£1 million invested into clean air projects in Sheffield
Funds raised from the Clean Air Zone are being invested in active travel projects in schools and communities across the city, including the development of 19 School Streets and secure cycle storage in school grounds and on streets.
A major two-year project at Shire Brook Valley nature reserve has now come to a successful end.
This marks the completion of more than £1 million worth of habitat improvements across over 400 acres of land in the south‑east of Sheffield.
The project, funded by the government’s Species Survival Fund, has enhanced woodlands, meadows, heathland, ponds and rivers in the valley.
The improvements are already benefitting key species such as harvest mice, swifts and hedgehogs, and have significantly strengthened the valley's natural resilience to climate-driven flooding.
Access and community engagement have also been transformed across the reserve, with new trails, signage and interpretation making the site easier to explore.
Report wildfires
As we come into drier weather, Sheffield universities have devised a web-based app where moorland fires can be reported (after calling 999) to help them understand the impact of the fires. This links up to satellites and a monitoring network across the Peak District National Park and beyond. If you are out and about in the Peak District or nearby and you do unfortunately witness a fire, please give the app a go and report it to the universities.
Warm Homes Sheffield
Sheffield City Council’s Housing Energy Efficiency Team have a website helping Sheffield residents to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. On the website, you can find:
- introductory guides and videos to help you to make your home warmer and save money.
- details of new and existing grant funding schemes.
- how to get personalised support with rising energy bills and the cost-of-living crisis.
Green skills courses for people in work
The Sheffield College have a range of green skills and sustainability short courses which have been created to offer adults in employment the opportunity to develop their knowledge in sustainable practices and technology.
Courses include a mixture of face to face and online learning, creating flexible qualifications in retrofit, sustainability and renewable technologies with an aim to provide the green skills of the future, supporting learners and employers with the transition to green economies and workforces.
Have you got the BetterPoints app?
BetterPoints is a free app which allows you to turn your steps, cycle rides, bus trips and more, into shopping vouchers or donations to local charities. The BetterPoints Sheffield scheme aims to encourage residents across the city to choose active travel to get around wherever and whenever possible, taking cars off the road in the city, reducing congestion and emissions, while helping to promote a healthier lifestyle.
To join in, download the free BetterPoints app and use it to record journeys made on foot, by bike, in a wheelchair, or by bus, tram or train.
Low Carbon Grant energy and cost saving support
Business Sheffield’s Low Carbon Grant is helping local organisations cut energy use, reduce costs and reinvest savings where it matters most.
Excel Martial Arts, a Sheffield-based CIC, used the grant to install solar panels on their new facility at a time when rising energy bills were creating financial pressure.
The solar panels now save around £5,000 a year and are expected to pay for themselves within four years. These savings allow the team to reinvest more into their facilities, staff and community.
The Low Carbon Grant has secured another year of funding to support Sheffield businesses. They are offering funding for energy-saving upgrades such as solar panels, energy-efficient lighting, and heating systems, alongside a free energy survey and support from a low carbon advisor.
Energy Resilience Fund
Community businesses who are ineligible to apply for loans through a bank can borrow money to retrofit their buildings and install energy measures.
Sport England Movement Fund
Up to £15,000 grants are available for physical activity projects in the community, including improving environmental sustainability whilst creating physical activity opportunities.
Training for schools
If you work in, or are associated with a school, take a look at the training webinars from Let’s Go Zero. You can join the free upcoming webinars live to ask questions, or watch previous recordings. The Built for Change programme led by Sheffield City Council will be showcased in the May webinar – details and registration to this and other webinars can be accessed below.
Visit the Sheffield Energy Hub
10am - 4pm, Wednesday to Saturday
The Sheffield Energy Hub, based at 108 Pinstone Street in Sheffield city centre, offers advice and impartial information on a number of energy efficiency topics including:
- insulation,
- heat pumps,
- solar panels,
- renewables grants,
- community energy,
- green skills and finance
Business and Economy Decarbonisation Routemap launch event
9am - 11am, Wednesday 22 April
There will be a launch event at 15 Paternoster Row for the Business and Economy Decarbonisation Routemap on 22 April, supported by the Chamber of Commerce’s Sustainable Business Network. Business owners and leaders are warmly invited to attend.
Homeowner retrofit advice workshops
The team of retrofit specialists from SY Ecofit CIC are delivering a number of free home retrofit workshops across Sheffield. Join them and learn how to make your home warmer, more energy-efficient and save money on your bills.
Great Big Green Week 2026
Schools, communities and local people are invited to get involved with the Great Big Green Week 2026 by organising an environment or sustainability themed event. The website has a range of resources on organising an event, with more to be added.
Sheffield City Council consultations are published on Have Your Say Sheffield. We advertise relevant city centre and citywide consultations in the newsletter, and encourage you to take a look at the site for local consultations and updates on previous consultations.
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