How Newport City Council is taking small steps to get big picture results on climate action
Laura Waldron explains how strong partnerships are powering Newport’s journey to net zero
From classrooms to council offices, Newport City Council is embedding climate awareness into everyday life, and programme manager Laura Waldron is helping lead the charge.
Through the council’s net zero Newport programme, Laura and her team are driving a wide-ranging campaign that aims to shift attitudes, spark action, and normalise sustainability across the city.
Laura shared insights from this work during her presentation at the Journey to a net zero Wales event, held on 18 June at Swansea University’s Bay Campus - an event co-hosted by Salix, the Welsh Government, and the Welsh Government Energy Service.
“Climate change cuts across so many areas of council work,” Laura explained. “So, one of the key things we try to do with communications and engagement, both internally and externally, is to build on what’s already happening. We don’t want to reinvent the wheel.”
That means using existing channels, events, and networks such as cost-of-living roadshows, parents’ evenings at schools, and local community outreach as natural platforms to start conversations about sustainability.
“We’ve found energy efficiency is a really powerful gateway into wider conversations about climate change and decarbonisation,” she said. “You can’t always lead by talking about climate, but you can talk about reducing energy bills and then make that relevant.”
One success story is the council’s collaboration with the cost-of-living team, where Laura’s team attends events already planned in schools and community venues.
She said: “We talk to residents about the Energy Company Obligation 4 Flexible Eligibility or ECO4 Flex grant, which is funded by major energy companies. If people meet eligibility, maybe low income or a medical condition, they could get a fully funded package of measures.
“That might be insulation, a switch from oil to electric heating, or even solar panels. It’s an amazing scheme.”
The council also works closely with partners such as Warm Wales, a community interest company that helps reduce fuel poverty for vulnerable families, to signpost additional support and offer free energy consultations. :Laura added: : “It’s not just about sustainability; it’s about improving lives.”
A cultural shift in schools
Laura believes that one of the most visible signs of progress is in Newport’s schools.
Laura said: “A real cultural change is underway, driven by both the new Welsh curriculum, which gives schools greater freedom to explore climate issues, and rising energy costs that are forcing schools to rethink their energy use.
“Where schools have solar panels installed, thanks to our work with Egni, a community energy company, they’re now using that data in lesson plans,” she said.
“Egni also funds access to Energy Sparks, a platform showing live data in a student-friendly way. It’s not just a technical tool for headteachers, it helps bring the topic to life for pupils.”
Also, Eco Councils are appearing across schools, with students conducting energy audits and spotting equipment left on unnecessarily.
“We’ve supported them with events and talks, including sessions with Antarctic explorers and Swansea University researchers, which really helps capture imaginations” Laura said.
Staff driving action
It’s not just young people leading the way. Council staff are increasingly involved through a dedicated Climate Change Staff Network, which includes more than 60 members from across the authority.
“It’s been running for nearly three years, and we’ve really pushed internal engagement over the last 18 months,” she said. “We’ve hosted guest speakers, done field trips to net zero housing developments, and organised things like plant and book swaps and even a Christmas jumper swap.”
These informal activities are helping build a culture of sustainability across departments.
She added: “Again, we’re using what’s already there, like the council’s bi-monthly newsletter. We make sure there’s a climate section in every issue.”
Events that open minds and doors
Of all the tools available, from newsletters to social media, Laura believes that in-person events have the biggest impact.
“There’s no substitute for having a conversation with someone,” she said. “People are often surprised by how much work the council is doing on climate. The response is usually really positive. People want to know we’re taking this seriously.”
One of the highlights for Laura was a Saving Energy event at the Riverfront Theatre in March 2024. “We had stalls from Nest, Remake Newport, Momentwm, and other local groups. It gave people a chance to explore all sorts of sustainability topics.”
Later that year, the Let’s Experience Electric event brought electric vehicle test drives and discussions about accessibility, mobility, and charging infrastructure. “It’s about making the future real for people,” she said.
She’s also proud of a pioneering partnership with Aneurin Bevan Health Board. She said: “We’re using data on A&E admissions for respiratory and cardiovascular issues to identify households that might benefit from energy upgrades. We then send targeted letters offering support through ECO4 Flex and Warm Wales.
“The health board is tracking the data to see if hospitalisation rates go down. If it works, it could be a powerful case for housing investment as preventative healthcare.”
Milestones and momentum
Laura says her proudest milestone is launching the Net Zero Newport Decarbonisation Programme which offers fully funded building surveys and match funding to local small businesses and community groups to install low carbon infrastructure such as solar panels or LED lighting..
“It’s the first time we’ve directly offered grants and support to community groups and businesses,” she said. “We’ve had really strong engagement, and match funding has let us effectively double the benefit of every pound we’ve invested.”
She added, “A lot of groups said they wouldn’t have done anything without our support, not just the funding, but also the energy surveys that helped them understand their options.”
On the infrastructure side, Newport is tackling one of the city’s biggest decarbonisation challenges: on-street EV charging.
Laura said: “About a fifth of properties don’t have access to off-street parking, so we’re deploying over 200 chargers across the city this year. It can feel like a chicken-and-egg scenario, but we’re future-proofing. People need to see the infrastructure before they can make the switch.”
What’s next and what’s at stake
The challenges, of course, remain.
“There are always people you can’t quite reach,” Laura admitted. “That’s where energy efficiency is so useful. It helps us start conversations that lead to bigger change.”
Tracking progress isn’t always straightforward either. “We get good data from things like EV usage, which has gone up massively. But for general awareness, it’s harder. That said, we’ve gone from people asking why we’re installing chargers to people emailing us saying, ‘I’ve got an EV—can you put one on my street?’ That shift in mindset is huge.”
The personal drive behind the mission
“For me, it’s knowing I’m making a difference. Not just in reducing emissions, but improving people’s quality of life,” she said.
“There’s a lot of climate anxiety out there. But a phrase that really chimes with me is: action is the antidote to anxiety. I can’t change global deforestation, but I can make a difference in my small corner of the world.”
Her perspective has evolved as well over her time at the council. “At first, I thought the biggest barrier was capital, but actually it’s people. The investment in people is just as important. We’re lucky in Newport to have supportive leadership, and we know we can’t decarbonise the city on our own.
“It has to be done with residents, local businesses, and community groups. Otherwise, you risk wasting resources on issues people don’t have.”
As Wales pushes forward toward its net zero goals, Newport’s journey, led by passionate, grounded teams like Laura’s, is a hopeful example of how local action can drive national change. Not just through targets, but by shifting culture, creating partnerships, and turning climate awareness into everyday life.
A summary of the Journey to a net zero Wales event is available on our website, along with details of funding options available to support decarbonisation projects across Wales.