Warwickshire News Mine

Delivering the keynote speech at yesterday’s launch was Jonathon Porritt, Chairman of the UK Sustainable Development Commission, who made it clear that climate change is not something happening 100 years from now, and needs to be addressed immediately on a local, national and international level.

He said: “Scientists’ views have changed dramatically in just the last couple of years. Urgent action is needed now.”

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.

And following yesterday’s launch the delegates signed a pledge to help ensure that Warwickshire meets its target to cut 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).

Joining Jonathon Porritt in speaking at yesterday’s launch were Peter Johnson, the Operations Director of Johnsons Coach and Bus Travel; Simon Warren, Chief Executive of Rugby Borough Council; Adam Mallalieu, Head of Safety, Health, Environment and Security at National Grid; Martin Stott, Deputy Director of the Environment and Economy Directorate at Warwickshire County Council; the county council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment Cllr Martin Heatley; and Dr Susan Juned, Local Government Liaison to the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme.

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.”
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 started with a business leaders event in the evening following yesterday’s launch attended by dozens of business committed to tackling climate change.

Link to WCC