The Sustainable Economy service was established in June 2024. It brings together a number of teams leading work to shape and deliver our economic and environmental priorities for Bath and North East Somerset. We have an ambitious agenda to transform both our approach as a council and lead change across our region to ensure that we deliver on our shared vision for a fair, green, creative, and connected district.
We lead on implementation of our Economic Strategy, to ensure that we have a greener economy that supports residents to thrive through access to good jobs, and enables all people and places within Bath and North East Somerset to share in prosperity. We deliver and promote action across the council and district in response to the climate and ecological emergencies, working towards our 2030 Net Zero, Nature Positive goal.
Our teams engage actively with residents at a district and ‘place’ level, delivering regeneration and green infrastructure projects across Bath and its landscape setting, as well as in Keynsham, the Somer Valley, and Chew Valley.
Our Energy Transformation team
The Energy Transformation team is responsible for working with departments across the council, and external partners, to drive rapid scale-up of renewable energy technologies across the district, and to enable energy efficiency improvements to 65,000 homes by 2030. We also work closely with the Planning department on the implementation of the council’s leading net zero construction policy.
Our Climate & Engagement team
The Climate & Engagement team are responsible for coordinating and driving climate action across the council as we work towards our aim of being carbon neutral and leading the decarbonisation of the district. We report annually on our progress using our own and internationally recognised reporting mechanisms.
Communication and engagement are key tools to raise awareness of the climate emergency and drive action across Bath and North East Somerset. Our team works to share our work within the council and amplify the messages of our partners, encouraging residents to have their say and take action.
Find out more about the Climate Emergency, what we’re doing, and what you can do
Our Green Infrastructure & Nature Recovery team
The Green Infrastructure & Nature Recovery team advise on relevant national, regional, and local strategies, plans and policies. Working with a wide range of partners we secure investment in the development and delivery of green infrastructure, landscape character and biodiversity projects.
We have a portfolio of established and emerging partnership projects that are delivering multiple benefits including climate resilience, nature recovery, and improved health outcomes for people.
We are also leading on our Ecological Emergency Action Plan, the West of England Local Nature Recovery Strategy and the implementation of the biodiversity net gain requirements with the support of our Planning service and ecologists.
Discover more about how we are investing in green infrastructure and nature's recovery.
Our Business & Skills team
The Business & Skills team are our main point of contact for businesses and residents in the area seeking economic growth. This is accomplished by working with two main initiatives:
- Invest in B&NES provides free support to help companies start, expand, and relocate in Bath & North East Somerset. This services includes creating bespoke training packages, identifying funding opportunities, and tailored property searches.
Achieve in B&NES provides residents with free employment support, career coaching, and training opportunities to help them develop their skills and advance in their careers. It also offers recruitment assistance to businesses, including:
- connecting businesses with free and funded training courses from local providers to upskill existing staff or train new hires
- offering access to programmes designed to develop the workforce such as leadership training
Overall, the Business & Skills team aim to cultivate a thriving economy in Bath & North East Somerset by empowering both businesses and residents.
Our Regeneration team
We are working on a series of regeneration programmes and projects aimed at supporting and renewing our city centre, town centres and local high streets. These coordinated schemes aim to make sure our centres remain vibrant and successful places, which meet the needs of the community and visitors, and provide space for business and community organisations and nature to thrive.
In the short term, our main focus is to make sure our places continue to remain active and successful. We also have long term plans to help renew our centres to prepare for the future, remain economically active and to help us respond positively to the climate and ecological emergencies.
Find out more about Regeneration projects in Bath and North East Somerset
Join our Sustainable Economy service
Ready to embark on a rewarding journey with us? Explore current opportunities in Sustainable Economy and join us in tackling the climate and ecological emergencies.