2025 Action Scorecards

West Midlands Combined Authority

Nation
England
Net Zero target date
Whole area: 2041

About the Scorecards

Climate Emergency UK assessed all UK councils on the actions they’ve taken towards net zero. The Scorecard assessment consists of 93 questions across 7 different sections, created in consultation with over 90 different organisations and individuals. Each council was marked against these criteria and given a right to reply before the scores underwent a final audit. This work was completed between July 2024 and March 2025. Unless otherwise stated, council climate action from 1st January 2020 up until 31st October 2024 was assessed.

You can check how this council scored in the 2021 Plan Scorecards (different questions to the Action Scorecards).

Key definitions

The question weighting determines the importance of that question to the overall section score. To ensure appropriate weighting to each question, each raw score for a question has been translated into a score out of one, two or three, depending on whether the question is weighted low (one), medium (two) or high (three). The questions that are weighted high are those we consider to have the biggest impact on emission reductions and a sustained long-term impact.

Click here for further information on Question Weighting.

The overall section score for a council is given in the table below. The final score is created from adding up the overall section scores and applying the section weighting. For example, receiving a 50% score in Collaboration & Engagement equals 5% of a council’s overall score. This is because Collaboration & Engagement is worth 10% of a council’s overall score.

Click here for further information on Section Weighting.

Action Scorecard: West Midlands

Councils have been scored across seven sections, each covering the important actions that councils can be taking towards net zero. The marks within these sections add up to make up the council’s overall score. Here you can see where a council performs well and not so well in each section — and compare it to other councils at this granular level.

Choose Combined Authorities to compare

Filter questions in the table


Legends for difference column

-- No change
NA New question (not in previous scorecards)

Anext to the score means the council is a top performer for that section. While anext to the change (versus column in the table) means the council is one of most improved councils this year.

Visit us again on a bigger screen

You'll find more options, like the ability to compare your council's Scorecard with other councils, and see a more granular breakdown of how they did on each question of the Scorecards.

QuestionsWest Midlands Combined AuthorityWest Midlands Combined AuthorityCouncils with full marks per question
20252023Versus 2023Difference2025 results
Questions: West Midlands Combined Authority
Buildings & Heating & Green Skills (CA)
2025
71%
2023
79%
Difference
▼ -8
71%79%▼ -8
1.1

Is the combined authority's operations powered by renewable energy?

2025
0/2
2023
0/2
Difference
--
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0/20/2--
22%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
1.2

Has the combined authority supported local community renewable energy creation?

2025
0/1
2023
0/1
Difference
--
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0/10/1--
44%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
1.3

Is the combined authority part of a partnership to support retrofit in the area?

2025
1/1
2023
1/1
Difference
--
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1/11/1--
89%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
1.4

Has the combined authority produced research or a strategy understanding the scale, need and opportunity of retrofitting in its area?

2025
1/1
2023
1/1
Difference
--
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1/11/1--
67%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
1.5

Has the combined authority successfully raised funds for decarbonising homes and buildings through national government grants?

2025
1/1
2023
1/1
Difference
--
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1/11/1--
100%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
1.6

Does the combined authority have a detailed plan or strategy to create the green skills needed to mitigate and adapt to the climate emergency?

2025
1/1
2023
1/1
Difference
--
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1/11/1--
67%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
1.7

Is the combined authority part of a programme to support green jobs creation in the area?

2025
1/1
2023
1/1
Difference
--
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1/11/1--
100%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
1.8

Does the combined authority run an employment or careers programme or project to encourage and promote green jobs?

2025
0/1
2023
1/1
Difference
▼ -1
Visit question →
0/11/1▼ -1
67%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
1.9a

Has the combined authority funded a significant number of adult education skills courses or training advertised as skills for Green Jobs?

2025
1/1
2023
1/1
Difference
--
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1/11/1--
67%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
1.9b

Has the combined authority had a significant number of people completing adult education courses or training in the last three academic years that they funded and advertised as skills for Green jobs?

2025
1/1
2023
1/1
Difference
--
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1/11/1--
78%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
Transport (CA)
2025
70%
2023
71%
Difference
▼ -1
70%71%▼ -1
2.1a

Does the combined authority's Transport Plan include the combined authority's net-zero target and make tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities?

2025
1/1
2023
1/1
Difference
--
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1/11/1--
78%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
2.1b

Does the combined authority's Transport Plan include expanding or building a high carbon transport project?

2025
0/0
2023
0/0
Difference
--

Penalty marks: The maximum number of points for this question is 0. Read more about penalty mark questions.

Visit question →
0/00/0--
33%
Combined Authorities got no penalty marks for this question.
2.2

Has the combined authority set up or supported a shared transport scheme that can be used in their area?

2025
5/6
2023
5/6
Difference
--
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5/65/6--
0%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
2.3

Has the combined authority supported the expansion of the train network?

2025
2/3
2023
2/3
Difference
--
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2/32/3--
22%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
2.4a

Does the combined authority's bus service improvement plan include a target for the bus fleet to be zero emission?

2025
1/2
2023
2/2
Difference
▼ -1
Visit question →
1/22/2▼ -1
11%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
2.4b

Is bus ridership within the combined authority area high?

2025
1/2
2023
0/2
Difference
▲ 1
Visit question →
1/20/2▲ 1
11%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
2.4c

Is the combined authority transitioning the bus fleet in their area to be zero-emission?

2025
1/3
2023
NA
Difference
NA
Visit question →
1/3NANA
0%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
2.5

Has the combined authority introduced integrated ticketing for public transport?

2025
1/2
2023
1/2
Difference
--
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1/21/2--
11%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
2.6a

Does the combined authority have a Clean Air Zone or Low-Emission Zone within its area?

2025
1/1
2023
1/1
Difference
--
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1/11/1--
56%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
2.6b

Does the combined authority have a Clean Air Zone or Low-Emission Zone within its area that requires charges for private vehicles?

2025
1/1
2023
1/1
Difference
--
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1/11/1--
33%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
2.7

Has the combined authority provided support for active travel schemes?

2025
3/4
2023
3/4
Difference
--
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3/43/4--
0%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
2.8

Has the combined authority supported the expansion of a public network of electric vehicle chargers?

2025
1/2
2023
1/2
Difference
--
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1/21/2--
0%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
Planning & Biodiversity (CA)
2025
63%
2023
53%
Difference
▲ 10
63%53%▲ 10
3.1

Does the combined authority's Spatial Planning Strategy include the combined authority's net-zero target and make tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities?

2025
0/1
2023
0/1
Difference
--
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0/10/1--
33%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
3.2

Does the combined authority identify suitable areas for new solar energy, wind developments and district heat networks?

2025
2/3
2023
2/3
Difference
--
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2/32/3--
0%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
3.3

Has the combined authority mapped the areas of opportunity for biodiversity?

2025
0/1
2023
0/1
Difference
--
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0/10/1--
56%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
3.4

Does the combined authority have a natural capital investment plan?

2025
1/1
2023
0/1
Difference
▲ 1
Visit question →
1/10/1▲ 1
44%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
3.5

Does the combined authority have a target to increase tree cover across its area?

2025
1/1
2023
1/1
Difference
--
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1/11/1--
56%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
3.6

Does the combined authority provide funding for community action on biodiversity, for example through an environment fund or biodiversity action fund?

2025
1/1
2023
1/1
Difference
--
Visit question →
1/11/1--
67%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
Governance & Finance (CA)
2025
30%
2023
31%
Difference
▼ -1
30%31%▼ -1
4.1a

Does the combined authority corporate plan include a net zero target and make tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities?

2025
1/1
2023
0/1
Difference
▲ 1
Visit question →
1/10/1▲ 1
67%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
4.1b

Does the combined authority's medium term financial plan include the council's net zero target and make tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities?

2025
0/1
2023
0/1
Difference
--
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0/10/1--
11%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
4.2

Does the combined authority's Local Industrial Strategy include a net-zero target and make tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities?

2025
1/1
2023
1/1
Difference
--
Visit question →
1/11/1--
33%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
4.3

Does the combined authority's Corporate Risk Register accurately identify the risks of climate change to the local area?

2025
0/1
2023
1/1
Difference
▼ -1
Visit question →
0/11/1▼ -1
33%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
4.4a

Is the combined authority reporting on its own greenhouse gas emissions?

2025
0/1
2023
0/1
Difference
--
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0/10/1--
0%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
4.4b

According to the combined authority's own reporting, have the council's own greenhouse gas emissions reduced since 2019?

2025
0/4
2023
0/3
Difference
--
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0/40/3--
0%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
4.5

Has the combined authority's area wide carbon emissions decreased, according to UK Government data?

2025
3/4
2023
1/3
Difference
▲ 2
Visit question →
3/41/3▲ 2
0%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
4.6

Has the combined authority adopted a new governance or decision making process to put tackling the climate emergency at the heart of every council decision made?

2025
2/2
2023
2/2
Difference
--
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2/22/2--
33%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
4.7a

Does the combined authority have a sustainable procurement policy that includes an area wide net zero target and makes tackling the climate emergency one of its main priorities?

2025
0/1
2023
0/3
Difference
--
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0/10/3--
22%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
4.7b

Does the combined authority's procurement policy require tenders to take action to reduce waste, carbon emissions or other environmental actions?

2025
0/2
2023
0/3
Difference
--
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0/20/3--
11%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
4.8

Does the combined authority have a Cabinet member or Portfolio Holder that has climate change explicitly in their remit?

2025
0/1
2023
1/1
Difference
▼ -1
Visit question →
0/11/1▼ -1
56%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
4.9

What percentage of the combined authority's overall staff work on implementing their Climate Action Plan or other climate change projects?

2025
3/3
2023
2/2
Difference
▲ 1
Visit question →
3/32/2▲ 1
78%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
4.10

Have all senior management received climate awareness training?

2025
0/1
2023
0/1
Difference
--
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0/10/1--
0%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
4.11

Does the combined authority have an environmental investment fund that small and medium-sized enterprises and/or the public sector can use?

2025
0/1
2023
0/1
Difference
--
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0/10/1--
44%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
4.12a

Has the combined authority passed a motion in support of divestment from all fossil fuels from the councils' pension funds?

2025
0/2
2023
0/2
Difference
--
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0/20/2--
0%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
4.12b

Has the combined authority's pensions fund committed to divesting from all fossil fuels?

2025
0/2
2023
0/2
Difference
--
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0/20/2--
0%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
Collaboration & Engagement (CA)
2025
58%
2023
78%
Difference
▼ -20
58%78%▼ -20
5.1a

Has the combined authority published a climate action plan with SMART targets?

2025
1/1
2023
1/1
Difference
--
Visit question →
1/11/1--
100%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
5.1b

Has the combined authority published an up to date and easy-to-read annual report on their Climate Action Plan?

2025
0/3
2023
3/3
Difference
▼ -3
Visit question →
0/33/3▼ -3
22%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
5.2

Has the combined authority commissioned, written and published a study of available decarbonisation pathways for their area?

2025
1/1
2023
1/1
Difference
--
Visit question →
1/11/1--
56%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
5.3a

Has the combined authority lobbied the government for more funding, powers and climate resources?

2025
1/1
2023
1/1
Difference
--
Visit question →
1/11/1--
56%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
5.3b

Has the combined authority or its mayor publicly called for more climate action from the Government or other organisations?

2025
0/2
2023
2/2
Difference
▼ -2
Visit question →
0/22/2▼ -2
56%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
5.4

Is the combined authority working with external partners or other councils to lobby national government for climate action, or to learn about and share best practice council climate action?

2025
2/2
2023
2/2
Difference
--
Visit question →
2/22/2--
78%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
5.5a

Does the combined authority have an on-going way for residents to influence the implementation of the combined authority's Climate Action Plan?

2025
2/2
2023
2/2
Difference
--
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2/22/2--
11%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
5.5b

Does the combined authority's ongoing engagement with residents include those most affected by climate change and the transition?

2025
1/2
2023
1/2
Difference
--
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1/21/2--
11%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
5.6

Has the combined authority supported a research project into climate action in their region?

2025
1/1
2023
1/1
Difference
--
Visit question →
1/11/1--
100%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
5.7

Has the combined authority created a climate change commission or similar?

2025
0/1
2023
0/1
Difference
--
Visit question →
0/10/1--
56%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
5.8

Is the combined authority working in partnership with local businesses to encourage decarbonisation?

2025
1/1
2023
1/1
Difference
--
Visit question →
1/11/1--
89%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
5.10

Does the local authority have an ongoing way for employee representative bodies (including recognised trade unions) to influence the development and delivery of the council’s Climate Action Plan?

2025
0/1
2023
NA
Difference
NA
Visit question →
0/1NANA
22%
Combined Authorities got full marks for this question.
Total score
2025
59%
2023
65%
Difference
▼ -6
59%65%▼ -6
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