Published: 24 July 2006
Local Action on Climate
Under its commitment to tackling climate change the Government is supporting the launch of a new climate change Action Pack for local authorities.
The pack is intended to help local authorities address climate change issues in the way they run their estate & services and by acting as a community leader.
The pack forms part of the Nottingham Declaration - a public commitment by local authorities to recognise the impacts of climate change and to take action against it.
The Nottingham Declaration Action Pack will be available to local authorities that have already signed as well as other authorities who are being encouraged to join the campaign.
By providing free, clear and practical tools & advice, the Action Pack is intended to enable local authorities to:
· assess local climate change impacts
· mobilise senior management & political support
· set & forecast targets for carbon reduction and
· implement & evaluate their plans
Department for Communities and Local Government Minister Angela Smith said:
"Local authorities have a hugely important role to play in tackling and adapting to climate change, not just in the way they run their own estates and services but as leader of their communities.
The new action pack addresses all three of these areas and will enable local authorities to prioritise and take action against climate change.
I hope that all authorities use this Action Pack and urge those that haven't yet done so to sign the Nottingham Declaration."
The government claims that many local authorities, including Woking, Kirklees, Southampton, Lambeth and Kent, are already successfully reducing their emissions or working towards that aim.
Nearly 50 local planning authorities now require at least 10% of energy to come from on-site renewable technology in large developments and the Government is urging all local authorities to make this requirement part of their local development plan.
The Nottingham Declaration is a public commitment by local authorities to recognise the impacts of climate change and take action against it.
Actions include delivering carbon dioxide reductions at the local level by improving energy sourcing, travel & transport, waste production & disposal and the purchasing of goods & services.
The Nottingham Declaration also requires local authorities to champion carbon reduction and encourage everyone in their local community to work towards this aim.
140 local authorities have now signed the Declaration (or its equivalent) since its launch in 2000 and the Government hopes to increase this number, partly through the Action Pack, to 200 by the end of the year.
Further information
Nottingham Declaration Online Action Pack
Nottingham Declaration
Planning Policy Statement 22: Renewable Energy
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