Sustainability

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service recognises the climate emergency and the social and economic impacts linked to the changing climate. This recognition is aligned to the position of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) which is placing greater emphasis on the impact of climate change.

The Service is already feeling the impact of the changing climate in Berkshire. In 2026, the Service responded to more than 490 vegetation fires, including 30 wildfires. The operational impacts of hotter summers and wetter winters cannot be understated.

To help address the impacts of climate change, the Service published its first Sustainability Strategy in 2024. The Sustainability Strategy, which was designed to be a credible and deliverable plan, provides a framework for the future that is built on actions already undertaken by the Service.

The Service outlines its commitment to sustainability through four strategic themes.

These themes provide a framework which builds on action already undertaken by RBFRS in these areas and prioritises aspects where we can have the greatest impact and action on the climate emergency in order to set the conditions for a more sustainable future.

The Service had already invested significantly into reducing its emissions by upgrading to LED lighting. In 2024 and 2025, the Service installed efficient LED lighting across its estate. To date, these upgrades have saved the Service approximately £66,000, enough to cover the annual salary of two Firefighters.

To date, these upgrades have saved the Service approximately £66,000,
enough to cover the annual salary of two Firefighters.

We currently have Solar PV at several of our fire stations including Crowthorne, Whitley Wood, Theale and at our Training Centre

We have committed to delivering a solar PV project to assess our entire estate and install solar at as many sites as financially and practically feasible.  

• Renewable Energy: Solar energy is a virtually infinite and renewable resource, reducing dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels.
• Environmentally Friendly: Solar PV systems generate electricity without emitting harmful greenhouse gases, contributing to a cleaner environment.
• Carbon Footprint Reduction: Installing solar PV can save between 700kg and 1 ton of CO2 per year, depending on the system size. 
• Reduced Electricity Bills: By generating your own electricity, you can significantly reduce your energy bills, especially with battery storage.
• Financial Incentives: Governments often provide incentives like feed-in tariffs or smart export guarantees, offering a tax-free income for excess energy sold back to the grid. 
• Increased Property Value: Solar PV systems can increase the value of your property, making it more attractive to potential buyers. 

Currently our fleet is not fully electric due to the requirements of our operational vehicles and the range they need to cover emergencies. We are, however, transitioning our non-operational fleet to electric and will continue to do so while upgrading our charging infrastructure to support this.

We will aim to adopt more sustainable approaches to travel and vehicles as we see more technological advancement. 

• Zero Tailpipe Emissions: EVs produce no exhaust emissions, reducing local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, which is crucial for improving air quality in urban areas. 
• Life Cycle Emissions: While EVs themselves emit no tailpipe emissions, their overall environmental impact depends on the source of the electricity used to charge them. In regions with clean energy sources, EVs have a significant life cycle emissions advantage. 
• Renewable Energy Integration: EVs can be powered by renewable energy sources, further reducing their carbon footprint. 
• Efficiency and Power: EVs convert a higher percentage of electrical energy into motion compared to traditional vehicles, making them more efficient and providing better acceleration.  
• Quieter and Smoother Ride: EVs are quieter and offer a smoother driving experience, contributing to reduced driver stress and potentially safer driving habits. 
• Regenerative Braking: EVs can recover some energy through regenerative braking, improving efficiency and reducing wear on brake pads. 
• Reduced Noise Pollution: EVs contribute to quieter environments, reducing noise pollution in urban areas. 
• Future-Proofing: As governments phase out internal combustion engines, EVs are becoming the future of transportation, with increasing infrastructure support.

All of our sites participate in recycling through the following streams:  

• Dry Mixed Recycling
• Glass waste
• General waste
• Food waste  

• Conservation of Natural Resources: Recycling helps reduce the need to extract, process, and refine raw materials, which conserves natural resources and protects ecosystems.
• Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Recycling requires less energy than producing new materials, which results in lower greenhouse gas emissions and helps combat climate change.
• Waste Management: Recycling reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills, where it can decompose and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
• Economic Benefits: Recycling is often cheaper than waste disposal and can generate valuable materials for reuse.

• Prevention of Waste Creation: Reducing consumption is the most effective way to minimize waste generation, as it avoids the production of new materials and their eventual disposal.
• Energy and Resource Savings: Producing fewer goods reduces energy consumption and conserves raw materials, which are essential for maintaining environmental health.
• Environmental Protection: Lower consumption levels decrease pollution from manufacturing processes and reduce the environmental impacts associated with extraction and transportation.
• Cost Savings: Reducing consumption can lead to financial savings for individuals and communities by minimizing the need for new purchases and waste management.