CARBON MANAGEMENT STRATEGY WELCOME BUT OVERDUE: MUCH WORK STILL TO BE DONE

Cheltenham Liberal Democrats <info@cheltlibdems.org.uk>

CARBON MANAGEMENT STRATEGY WELCOME BUT OVERDUE: MUCH WORK STILL TO BE DONE - LIB DEMS

June 6, 2007 4:41 PM

Liberal Democrats on Gloucestershire County Council have welcomed the introduction of a Carbon Management Strategy to reduce emissions arising from Council business and to encourage action on Climate Change across the County; but they have criticised some shortcomings in its objectives, and are warning there is still much to be done in the struggle to tackle Climate Change.

Today the Tory cabinet acted upon a Liberal Democrat proposal at the end of 2006 to develop a "New Year's Resolution" on climate change. This commits the Council to year on year reductions in carbon emissions and to a variety of other measures, including a public information campaign to further raise awareness about the need to take action.

The Council will focus its attention on reducing emissions by re-insulating its buildings and reducing the use of energy for heat and light, but other actions will also be taken such as minimising journeys on Council business.

Liberal Democrat spokesman for the Environment, Cllr Dr John Cordwell, said:

"We welcome the introduction of the Carbon management strategy and the fact that the Council will now sign up to a statement of principles regarding Climate Change. The Council currently emits about 35,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, mostly by heating and lighting its premises. We are now committed to reducing these emissions by 2.5% every year and we are pleased that after negotiations the Tory cabinet accepted our recommendation of that rate."

Dr Cordwell added:

"The Liberal Democrat proposal for a reduction in carbon emissions was made at the end of last year and I am concerned that it has taken the Tories half a year to reach this stage. More decisive action is possible, and now this commitment has been made I hope we will get to see it."

Liberal Democrat group leader, Cllr Jeremy Hilton, said:

"We welcome the commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 2.5% year on year, but a commitment means nothing without action. It remains to be seen whether we can make this work, and we will be pushing the Tory administration hard on what they have undertaken today. So far the Tories have refused to reinvest financial savings from reducing our emissions into further carbon saving measures. The Tories must strop dragging their feet on initiatives like these if they want the new Carbon Management Strategy to work."