About the sustainable resources public policy
This policy area aims to ensure that Jersey’s unique natural environment is protected for future generations.
Jersey's natural resources must be managed and used responsibly. Things to consider include:
- Jersey’s air and soil quality
- a protected water supply
- the amount of waste we produce and how we treat it
- carbon neutrality
To address the climate crisis, Jersey committed to the Paris Agreement. This says that Jersey must significantly reduce the carbon emissions it produces. Jersey’s Carbon Neutral Roadmap (2022) outlines the range of policies that will transition the Island away from a reliance on fossil fuels.
There are now opportunities for renewable forms of energy like offshore wind or tidal range technologies. Jersey is becoming a centre for excellence for blue carbon sequestration (this is where large areas of grass seabeds are planted, which absorb carbon and contribute to biodiversity). However, current challenges to Islanders include the affordability of energy and the cost of living.
Key issues:
- Climate change
- Meeting carbon emission targets
- Sustainable water and waste management
- Soil and air quality
- Long-term planning and funding of infrastructure
The lead ministers for the environment is Steve Luce.
Climate emergency
Strategies and policies
 Ministerial plan
| Ministerial Plans set out a minister’s priorities in terms of projects, programmes and legislation.
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Energy and Environment: Delivery Plan
| Delivery Plans set out the activities that government departments will undertake to deliver on the minister’s priorities.
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Carbon Neutral Roadmap
| Sets out framework to reach net zero carbon emissions in Jersey by 2050. |
Jersey's progress to net zero
| The webpage gives an overview of the progress on the policies in the Carbon Neutral Roadmap. |
Low carbon heating incentive
| Policy HT1 of the Carbon Neutral Roadmap: supporting low carbon heating systems and home insulation. The Government of Jersey will provide a subsidy to enable both householders and commercial businesses to transition to low carbon heating systems. |
Carbon Neutral Strategy | Puts forward a plan for Jersey to be carbon neutral by 2030. |
Waste Water Strategy | Ensures appropriate waste water management. Focused on replacement of sewage treatment works due to island's increasing population with additional storm storage capacity. |
Sustainable Transport Policy | Ensures Jersey benefits from a sustainable transport infrastructure. |
Bridging Island Plan | Provides the framework for planning-related decision-making and sets out how the community's needs might be met over the plan period. |
Jersey Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) | Provides an Island-wide assessment of the risks associated with flooding and erosion from coastal sources. It sets out a framework to manage these risks to the community, environment and economy of Jersey over the next 100 years (up to 2120). The aim is to prevent and manage the effects of coastal erosion and flooding. |
Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan
| Sets out a number of policies to protect our coasts and seas and to use our marine and coastal environment sensitively. |
Air Quality Strategy | Provides an inventory of significant sources of local pollution and pollutants. Establishes appropriate action plans for improvement and raises public awareness of air quality in Jersey. |
Rural Economy Strategy | Focusses on economic and environmental sustainability in the countryside. It proposes new policies to keep pace with changes in the rural economy and promote growth in the sector. It aims to protect Jersey's environment, and to ensure the impact of rural business on the wider environment and society is considered. |
Climate Council | The agreed Carbon Neutral Roadmap requests that the Minister for the Environment or the Assistant Minister for the Environment establishes an independent, scientific Climate Council for Jersey with a composition, scope and focus that is proportionate to Jersey's size, the full terms of reference and membership of which should be agreed by the States. |
Relevant reports
Relevant laws
gov.je