Creating a more sustainable future for Southend-on-Sea
Southend-on-Sea is a unique coastal city, home to seven kilometres of coastline, more than 30,000 trees, extensive green spaces, and a rich natural and built environment. These assets contribute to the city's character, support wildlife, improve health and wellbeing, and make Southend an attractive place to live, work and visit.
Protecting and enhancing our environment is a shared responsibility. Residents, businesses, community groups and visitors all have an important role to play in helping Southend respond to environmental challenges and ensuring that our natural resources can be enjoyed by future generations.
The Council are currently drafting an Environmental Stewardship Strategy (ESS). This is a strategic corporate document which sets out Southend-on-Sea City Council's vision, principles and objectives for environmental sustainability over the next ten years. It provides a framework for delivering environmental improvements across the city and supports the Council's wider corporate priorities.
The strategy focuses on five key themes:
- Natural Environment- protecting and enhancing biodiversity, green spaces and our marine environment.
- Resources and Recycling- reducing waste, promoting resource efficiency and supporting a circular economy.
- Health and Wellbeing- improving quality of life for all in Southend through a healthier environment by addressing issues such as air quality and extreme heat.
- Infrastructure, Energy and Transport- reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting sustainable buildings, energy systems and transport.
- Governance, Skills and Engagement- ensuring we work effectively with residents, businesses, partners and communities to deliver environmental outcomes.
The ESS aligns with the Council's Corporate Plan and other key strategies and will guide environmental action across Southend over the next ten years.
Get involved
We want to understand what matters most to residents and gather views on the environmental challenges and opportunities facing Southend. Your feedback will help shape the Environmental Stewardship Strategy and inform future projects, policies and priorities.
By completing this survey, you will help us identify practical actions that can support a cleaner, greener and more sustainable Southend for everyone.
For more information, please view the draft Environmental Stewardship Strategy and the accompanying Easy Read summary, which provides an overview of the topics covered in the main document.
Consultation closes at 5pm on 05 November 2026
