COUNCIL CO2 EMISSIONS MUST BE REDUCED (Jeremy Hilton)

COUNCIL CO2 EMISSIONS MUST BE REDUCED

November 13, 2009 4:15 PM

Leading Liberal Democrats Declan Wilson and Jeremy Hilton demand action to reduce carbon emissions

Liberal Democrat councillors today submitted a motion to the full council meeting calling for a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions from Gloucestershire County Council.

The national 10:10 campaign calls on local councils to reduce CO2 emissions which are measured and recorded each year. The 10% cut in CO2 emissions is possible in just one year. Currently the county council target for reducing CO2 is just 2.5% next year.

Cllr Bill Crowther, Liberal Democrat shadow cabinet member for the environment said: "Acting to reduce climate change is possible here in Gloucestershire. The county council has considerable energy and transport issues which can be tackled with a more energy efficient and CO2 emission concern. There is a clear measure of the CO2 emission the council is responsible for, we will ask councillors of all parties to commit the council to meeting the campaign targets as many other councils have signed up to"

The council is required by law to publish carbon emissions which it is responsible for under the CO2 emissions target 'National Indicator 185'. The current council policy is an annual target of 2.5%

Cllr Jeremy Hilton, Liberal Democrat leader said: "The 10:10 campaign is getting widespread support nationally, with businesses, individuals and councils of all political groups signing up to cut carbon emissions by 10% in the next year. Tackling climate change is a must. We have to reduce the carbon footprint of every human activity if we are to avoid catastrophic change in our climate. Gloucestershire County Council can do its bit. I hope we will have unanimous support for our motion."

Ends..

Notes:

1. 10:10 is a campaign to get individuals, companies and institutions to reduce their carbon footprints by 10% during 2010. The campaign website is http://www.1010uk.org/organisations#how_can_we

2. The National Indicator (NI) 185 is a government measure of CO2 which is the responsibility of the County Council, defined by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.