LEADING councillors at Chichester District Council have taken a key step forward in the fight against climate change by officially adopting a first stage Climate Emergency Action Plan and recommending that the Council fund a new Climate Emergency Officer for the district.
Following the announcement of a Climate Emergency in a Cabinet meeting last summer, the council’s Environment Panel have developed an initial action plan.
This plan sets out a carbon reduction target of 10% year on year until 2025 within the Chichester District.
The plan also outlines key actions that can be taken by the council in order to help address climate change, including:
- The delivery of measurable carbon reduction in new developments and through the council’s own operations.
- Sourcing funding for reduced carbon initiatives.
- Promoting lifestyle changes, such as energy reduction and the use of renewable energy sources.
- Developing local plans for reducing food waste.
- Identifying opportunities for increased tree planting.
- Promoting sustainable transport.
- The council’s Cabinet have also put forward a recommendation to Full Council that a Climate Emergency Officer be appointed to develop the plan for delivery from autumn 2020. This recommendation will be considered in a Council meeting on 28 January 2020.
“We all have a very important part to play in helping to preserve our beautiful district,” says Councillor Penny Plant, Cabinet Member for Environment and Chichester Contract Services at Chichester District Council.
“In our role as a district council, we are keen to take whatever steps we reasonably can to address climate change within the work that we do.
“By adopting a focused action plan, we have reached another key milestone in our bid to tackle climate change.
“Carbon reduction is already a key focus in many areas of the council’s work.
“New policies are currently being proposed to set standards for sustainable construction, energy efficiency and water usage in new developments through the Local Plan Review.
“Policies for sustainable drainage, flooding and wildlife corridors also form part of this work.
“The council’s Air Quality Action Plan also aims to reduce carbon emissions through the development of new walking and cycling infrastructure and the installation of electric vehicle charging points across the district.
“Reducing carbon emissions is an urgent but complicated issue.
“However, we are confident that the implementation of our action plan will have a positive impact on our district, and its residents, workers and visitors.
“The measures delivered as part of the plan will help us to reduce carbon emissions in our area, while also demonstrating how local action can contribute to achieving the national climate emergency target of zero net carbon by 2050.”
