A climate of change in Warwickshire
One of the biggest issues currently facing the planet is being tackled head on in Warwickshire with the launch of the county’s first Climate Change Strategy.
Delivering the keynote speech at Monday’s strategy launch will be Jonathon Porritt, Chairman of the UK Sustainable Development Commission.
Warwickshire Climate Change Partnership includes organisations from the public, private and voluntary sectors, understanding that they must unite to effectively reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions through targeted actions in five key areas: transport; energy; resource efficiency; adaptation; and communications and education.
For example as one of Warwickshire County Council’s contributions to the partnership it now procures 94 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources, and 100 per cent of streetlights are powered by `green’ electricity. These measures are saving around 46,000 tonnes of CO2 each year.
Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “The launch of this strategy is a crucial step in both halting the progress of climate change, and reversing trends where possible. The county council is proud to be a founder member of this partnership and we will continue to work with others to achieve the stretching targets we have set ourselves.”
In Warwickshire the aim of the strategy is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the county by at least 15-18 per cent by 2010 and a 60 per cent reduction by 2050 (against 1990 levels).
Susan Juned, Local Government Liaison, National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP), said: “By facilitating links between different sectors Warwickshire has a far better chance to deliver the strategic aim of CO2 reduction.”
Residents, businesses, organisations and visitors to Warwickshire produce an estimated 4.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year in the county, equivalent to ten tonnes per person.
A recent survey of Warwickshire Citizens Panel, consisting of 1,087 local residents, found that 93 per cent of respondents considered climate change to be quite or very important to their daily lives.
In the coming weeks and months the Warwickshire Climate Change Partnership is to continue to highlight ways people can make an impact. This work is starting with a business leaders event in the evening following Monday’s launch.