Report on County Council Matters to North Nibley Parish Council

2^nd September 2019

Climate Change Strategy

Following support from Environment Scrutiny Committee and the council’s Cabinet meeting a consultation has been launched and a press release issued. The following is an extract from that:

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Until 23^rd September, people will be able to respond to the consultation via the council’s website, either by completing the online survey, downloading a hard copy or by emailing the climate change team directly. 

In addition, 1000 residents and 200 businesses will be asked to complete a phone survey, providing the council with a representative sample of the county’s views on climate change related issues.

All responses received during the consultation will be used to inform the creation of a revised Climate Change Strategy, supporting the county to become carbon neutral by 2050, which is key aim of the council in response to the ‘climate emergency’.

Cllr Nigel Moor, cabinet member for environment and planning, said, “Climate change will affect everyone so we are calling on Gloucestershire to help us prioritise how we take action.

“We know we need to make changes, but our plans can not be carried out alone. Your answers to this consultation will give us the information we need to make our Climate Change Strategy realistic.

“Everyone will play a part in helping us to achieve our targets on carbon reduction, and assist in responding to the climate emergency, contributing to a carbon neutral county.”

The council has already had huge success in reducing its emissions since 2005, when the first Carbon Management Strategy was published. The Government’s voluntary target for public sector organisations is to reduce emissions by 30 per cent in eleven years (by 2020/21).

Gloucestershire County Council has more than halved its carbon emissions over the same time period; 52 per cent reduction in eleven years, which is significantly ahead of the national target.

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The on-line climate change consultation can be completed here

The consultation will close on 23^rd September.

Applications for the Youth Climate Panel from young people aged 16 – 25 should be made via at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/youthclimatepanel  by 9^th September.

John Cordwell

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