Surrey Heath Borough Council to Reduce Carbon Emissions by 10% in 2010?

11.46.00pm GMT Sun 6th Dec 2009

Lib Dems are pressing Surrey Heath to sign up to 10:10

In the run up to the climate change summit at Copenhagen, Lib Dem councillors on Surrey Heath Borough Council are calling on the Council to sign up to the national 10:10 campaign and to commit to cutting carbon emissions by 10% in 2010.

The 10:10 campaign (www.1010uk.org) is calling on ordinary individuals, businesses and organisations to take action now to start to reduce carbon emissions. It is not about dramatic targets in 20 years time - it is about starting on the road to a low carbon future with an achievable short-term target.

The campaign has attracted widespread support amongst the political parties nationally, with George Osborne committing the Conservatives to a 10% carbon emission reduction in emissions by central government within 12 months should they win the next election, and Simon Hughes of the Liberal Democrats calling for a 10% reduction throughout the public sector. All parties have also encouraged local government to join the campaign.

At its next full meeting on Wednesday, 9th December, the Lib Dems will argue that the Council should join the 10:10 campaign and make a commitment to reduce its carbon emissions. Pointing to a Local Government Chronicle report (26/11/2009) that households in Surrey Heath are amongst the worst carbon polluters in the country, they will argue that it is important that the Council should show leadership in the area.

Cllr Duncan Clark, leader of the Liberal Democrat group at the Council and proposer of the motion said: " In this week of the Copenhagen Summit, we are calling on the Council to act in accordance with its motto "leading for tomorrow". Not only should the Council commit to a 10% reduction in its own carbon emissions, but it should also encourage both local residents and other local organisations to take action. We believe that this 10% target by the end of next year is both achievable and useful."

Alan Hilliar, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Surrey Heath said:" It's easy to feel powerless in the face of a huge problem like climate change, but by uniting everyone around immediate, effective and achievable action, 10:10 enables us all to make a meaningful difference."