Environment & Sustainability
Ebbsfleet Development Corporation is taking action to mitigate the effects of climate change, meet the UK’s net zero targets for 2050, and address the biodiversity crisis. The scale of land and assets in Ebbsfleet provides a unique opportunity to find innovative solutions to sustainable living.
Ebbsfleet Environmental Sustainability Framework
Adopted in 2021, the Ebbsfleet Environmental Sustainability Framework sets out a bold vision for a 21st-century Garden City where people and nature thrive together.
It is built around three pillars – Place, People, and Performance, and five strategic focus areas: Carbon & Energy, Water, Waste & Materials, Health & Wellbeing, and the Natural Environment. Each area includes measurable outcomes and a roadmap of actions to guide sustainable development across Ebbsfleet.
The Framework is supported by an Action Plan with 88 targeted actions aligned with our strategic focus areas. These actions are designed to:
- Embed sustainability into all EDC-led projects
- Promote carbon neutrality and biodiversity
- Empower residents to make sustainable lifestyle choices
Our delivery is guided by key principles
- Use of recognised industry tools (e.g. BREEAM)
- Integration into project management systems
- Community involvement and transparency
- Long-term stewardship by local partners
- Alignment with national and local policy
Carbon & Energy
Objective: To make Ebbsfleet carbon neutral by 2035, through sustainable energy use, generation, and design.
Key Actions:
- Develop a city-wide operational carbon model.
- Apply the sustainable performance across all projects.
- Promote active travel and low-emission transport.
Progress Highlights:
- Published the Decarbonisation Plan and monitoring report.
- Produced the Sustainable Performance Framework and applied the EDC Sustainable Performance Specification across all projects.
- Electric buses launched on Fastrack and active travel campaigns.
Water
Objective: To reduce reliance on external water sources, enhance water quality, and improve flood resilience through sustainable design.
Key Actions:
- Integrate SuDS and rainwater harvesting in all developments.
- Promote water reuse in community gardens and allotments.
- Deliver Blue Lake City Park as a water sports hub.
- Encourage smart water meters and water-efficient building standards.
Progress Highlights:
- SuDS principles embedded in planning and design codes.
- Rainwater harvesting included in new residential permissions.
- Feasibility studies for water reuse completed.
Waste & Materials
Objective: To minimise construction and operational waste, promote circular economy practices, and use healthy, sustainable materials.
Key Actions:
- Achieve BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ for community buildings.
- Encourage off-site construction and modular design.
- Explore vacuum waste systems and circular economy hubs.
- Promote sustainable waste practices among residents.
Progress Highlights:
- Circular economy report completed; key projects identified.
- Sustainable Performance Framework applied across developments.
- Library of things planned for community buildings.
Health & Wellbeing
Objective: To create a healthy, inclusive environment that supports active lifestyles, clean air, and accessible, high-quality homes.
Key Actions:
- Deliver active travel networks and the Ebbsfleet Gardenway cycling loop.
- Promote healthy homes through design standards and assessments.
- Support digital connectivity and co-working in community spaces.
- Improve air quality and reduce HGV impacts.
Progress Highlights:
- All planning applications aligned with sustainable travel and housing standards.
- Gardenway cycling loop feasibility study underway.
- Community buildings include touchdown workspaces and Wi-Fi.
- Air quality measures integrated into school and transport planning
Natural Environment
Objective: To enhance biodiversity, green infrastructure, and community stewardship of nature across the Garden City.
Key Actions:
- Achieve 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) across all developments.
- Implement the Building with Nature tool in planning.
- Launch community gardens and tree planting initiatives.
- Develop the GreenMap website for monitoring and engagement.
Progress Highlights:
- Published the Green Infrastructure Strategy
- All major projects now meet 10% BNG requirement.
- GreenMap launched to support community-led stewardship.
- Springhead and Ebbsfleet Green allotments opening in 2025.
- Community tree planting days launched in Springhead in 2025.
- Resident Garden Guide published in June 2025.
Building on the Environmental Sustainability Framework delivered in 2021, the Corporation has now announced the creation of two further approaches, the Ebbsfleet Decarbonisation Plan and Ebbsfleet Sustainable Performance Framework, which set out a road map to achieving net-zero carbon by completion of Ebbsfleet Garden City, alongside the principles on which sustainability can be delivered through a variety of projects and initiatives across development sites.
Ebbsfleet's Decarbonisation Plan
Ebbsfleet’s Environmental Sustainability Framework sets two key ambitions for carbon and energy; to be net zero carbon
upon completion, and to be an exemplar for energy generation, distribution, and efficiency.
To deliver on these ambitions, Ebbsfleet Development Corporation will lead by example, ensuring development reflects the highest levels of design quality and environmental sustainability, using modern methods of construction where appropriate to improve efficiency and performance of homes in their journey toward achieving zero carbon homes.
The Decarbonisation Plan defines the scope of the carbon footprint, assesses current and future carbon emissions, tests strategies to meet the ambition, highlights key actions and provides a mechanism for tracking progress.
Ebbsfleet Development Corporation Sustainable Performance Framework
The Sustainable Performance Framework has been developed to define the ambitions for the sustainability of Ebbsfleet Development Corporation development projects across the five priority areas of the Ebbsfleet Environmental Sustainability Framework, and a sixth area to support inclusive growth.
This Framework identifies a set of objectives and corresponding measures that the Corporation will aim to meet, in order to deliver on the overarching outcomes for environmental sustainability in Ebbsfleet.
Ebbsfleet's Green Infrastructure Strategy
This Green Infrastructure Strategy sits alongside and supports the delivery of the Implementation Framework, which recognises the importance of environmental sustainability and the protection of Ebbsfleet’s outstanding natural assets. It brings together the objectives and actions of several evidence reports, including the Ebbsfleet biodiversity net gain assessment.
The Ebbsfleet GREENmap
This interactive Ebbsfleet GREENmap lets you explore the habitats, trees, wildlife and water across Ebbsfleet all in one place. The map is a great way to get involved by mapping a local tree, reporting a sighting of local wildlife, or finding out how to help nature to flourish in your neighbourhood.
Click below and start exploring!
Small changes…big impact!
- Use heating controls and ensure you’re never using more heat than you need. Smart heating controls are available for all types of heating systems, including electric storage heaters.
- Draught-proofing areas such as gaps around the windows and doors, between floorboards or up your chimney is a cost-effective way to save energy and reduce your household’s carbon emissions.
- Did you know, switching to showers is a great way to reduce your water usage, particularly when keeping your shower to 4 minutes or less.
- Invest in water butts. Where possible, watering your garden using a water butt, cooking water or even your watering can is much more efficient than a sprinkler or hose.
- As much as 25% of the items in your trash could potentially be removed from the waste stream and composted in your back yard? Food scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds can all be composted, and make for great fertiliser!
- Use a reusable bottle or cup for drinks on the go. While most cans and bottles can be recycled, they require a lot of energy to be produce, shipped and sold. Bringing your own drinks and reusable cups not only saves you money, but saves the environment too!
- There are many ways you can help the natural environment, such as using public transport or travelling by foot.
- Eat local produce. Did you know we have Edible Ebbsfleet planters across Ebbsfleet? Find out how you can get involved here.