ECO-MINDED residents are being urged to help Stratford District Council in the fight against climate change.
Council chiefs declared a ‘climate emergency’ in July pledging to take local action through the development of practices and policies with the aim to make the district carbon neutral by 2030.
A dedicated climate emergency group has been set up by the council to exploring practical steps the authority can take, and how it can work with residents, partners and local businesses, to tackle climate change.
The group will make a series of recommendations between now and Christmas before submitting its final report in January.
Ideas in the pipeline include a carbon management plan for council-owned buildings, district taxis becoming electric or low emission vehicles, and higher energy performance standards for new homes including the use of renewable energy.
Recent environmental initiatives have included installing electric vehicle charging points at car parks, joining a nationwide water bottle refill scheme to cut plastic waste, and continuing efforts to maintain the council’s position as one of the top ten performing local authorities in England for the percentage of household waste sent for reuse, recycling and composting.
Group chair Susan Juned said: “We need suggest the steps needed to meet the ambitious goal of the district being carbon neutral by 2030.
“We have already put together a scoping document, but we need fresh, innovative ideas to work with local businesses. Local government has a history of leadership in tackling climate change and we want Stratford district to be at the forefront of this.”
Coun Peter Richards, chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee which the group will report to, stressed the importance of taking action.
He said “The group is looking at a number of issues including reducing the district council’s current carbon footprint, ways to encourage residents to reduce and reuse waste, the rollout of electric vehicles and making sure new housing is built to the highest environmental standards.
“As well as looking within the district, we also need to understand how the district council can work with regional partners such as Warwickshire County Council on issues such as encouraging improved sustainable transport options for residents.”
The group wants to hear ideas from residents, businesses and local organisations on policies to tackle the climate emergency. Email [email protected] with thoughts.
