On Friday 9th June South Gloucestershire Council launched the consultation draft of their Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan for the County. Three members of South Gloucestershire Friends of the Earth were actively involved in the advisory group for the climate change strategy.

The proposed aims of the strategy are, quote:

• To reduce energy use and use energy more efficiently
• To increase the generation of energy from renewable sources
• To reduce emissions caused through travel
• To reduce emissions caused by the disposal of waste
• To enable a shift towards more sustainable lifestyles and development
• To assess the likely impacts of climate change and to implement appropriate adaptation measures

The proposed target is “to achieve a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050 with a reduction of 20% by 2010, in line with Government targets”.

This is an ambitious target which we all must contribute in order to achieve it. To meet this target the Council has identified six interrelated topics, namely:

• Energy
• Waste
• Transport
• Building for the Future
• Lifestyle Choices
• Adaptation

You can make an impact! We all can!

Firstly, read the consultation draft that is available on the www.southglos.gov.uk [South Gloucestershire Council website].

Secondly, attend one of the consultation meetings as published by the Council.

Thirdly, and most importantly, look at your own lifestyle and energy usage. Determine how you can change your energy usage and help reduce your CO2 emissions. There are some very easy things you can do. The most immediate impact would be to increase your home insulation, use public transport where possible and, in the long run, install more efficient boilers and heating systems. The Energy Saving Trust is a very useful source of information. Do visit their website!

Stuart Shales

— Web Master auto generated by txt2dokuwiki