Rosalyn Harper calls on Surrey Heath Council to do more to combat climate change

12.00.00am GMT Mon 13th Dec 2004

Maintaining the balance - Spaceship Earth

Rosalyn Harper & local Liberal Democrats are calling on Surrey Heath Council to play its part in helping to reduce carbon emissions in the local area.

Rosalyn Harper, Surrey Heath Parliamentary Spokesperson, said: "Climate Change is not someone else's problem. Local authorities can and should act as leaders in their areas to promote environmentally-sensible behaviour, and they need to start with a public commitment to reduce emissions in activities under their direct control. In Surrey Heath that means: enhancing recycling provision; utilising "green" energy sources; promoting environmental measures through the planning system; and taking environmental aspects into account when making purchasing decisions".

In a motion to the Council's meeting on 15th December, Liberal Democrat Councillors Bob Smith and Judy Douch are calling on the council to sign up to the "Nottingham Declaration". The declaration commits authorities to:

• Take steps to improve its own environmental performance, publishing targets and monitoring progress

• Promote environment responsibility through its procurement practices,

• Provide leadership in its area to encourage other public and private organisations to reduce carbon emissions

"Green" energy

• Provide opportunities for the development of renewable energy generation within their areas

• Working with other local bodies, to consider the effects of climate change locally and to identify ways to adapt

This declaration (the text of which can be found on www.surreyheathlibdems.org.uk ) is purely voluntary but has already been signed up to by some 74 local authorities of all political affiliations, ranging from rural districts to metropolitan boroughs.

Cllr Bob Smith said: "Protection of the environment should be a priority here in Surrey Heath, as there are many pressures on it here. Our motion calls on the Council to establish an action plan by May, 2005. This plan is to be one for the whole area and not just for the Council itself, but should contain a public commitment to achieve a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the Authority's own activities. Much advice is available for local authorities on what can be done, for example at the website of the Energy Saving Trust."

Cllr Judy Douch said: "This sort of action is very relevant to Surrey Heath. Locally, I have worked with Woking Borough Council, which has already committed to the Nottingham Declaration. I should like to see Surrey Heath follow the lead of Woking who are recognised as a leader in action on climate change, and have already reduced their CO2 emissions by 72% from the 1990/1 baseline."