Climate change
Climate change is the greatest long term challenge facing the world today, and meeting this challenge requires everyone to take responsibility. Part of this collective responsibility is for Walsall Council to reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases (mitigation) and adapting to the changes that will occur in our climate (adaptation).
The council will lead by example to reduce its carbon footprint by reducing energy consumption across its buildings and services, and adapt and prepare the borough for climate change through appropriate planning, investment and delivery of its services. The council will also communicate its climate change activities and achievements and raise local awareness.
The Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change
Walsall Council has shown its commitment as a local authority to tackling climate change by signing the Nottingham Declaration on 24 November 2006.
Over 200 local councils have signed up to the declaration, each pledging to actively tackle climate change in their area and help the UK deliver its national climate change targets.
By signing the declaration, which was re-launched in December 2005 to mark its fifth anniversary, Walsall Council made a commitment to develop plans with partners and local communities to progressively address the causes and impacts of climate change.
The voluntary declaration is a proven tool for securing initial corporate commitment of councils to tackle climate change.
The declaration recognises the pivotal role that local authorities have in delivering local solutions to national priorities on climate change and calls upon Local Government to redouble its efforts to tackle the local causes and impacts of climate change over the next five years, to help meet Kyoto and domestic emissions targets and implement the required adaptation measures and for local government’s strategic partners to support and amplify local action on climate change with more and better organised support for local authorities.
Signing of the declaration fits with the council’s strategic objective to become a leading council in the field of environmental sustainability through the development of its Vision 2021 and will commit the council to the following:
- Work with central government to contribute, at a local level, to the delivery of the UK Climate Change Programme, the Kyoto Protocol and the target for carbon dioxide reduction by 2010.
- Participate in local and regional networks for support.
- Within the next two years develop plans with our partners and local communities to progressively address the causes and the impacts of climate change, according to our local priorities, securing maximum benefit for our communities.
- Publicly declare, within appropriate plans and strategies, the commitment to achieve a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from our own authority’s operations, especially energy sourcing and use, travel and transport, waste production and disposal and the purchasing of goods and services.
- Assess the risk associated with climate change and the implications for our services and our communities of climate change impacts and adapt accordingly.
- Encourage all sectors in our local community to take the opportunity to adapt to the impacts of climate change, to reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions and to make public their commitment to action.
- Monitor the progress of our plans against the actions needed and publish the results.
The council will work with all sectors and industries in the local community to reduce green house gas emissions by reducing energy costs, congestion, improving the local environment and tackling local fuel poverty.
Walsall Council takes the environment seriously and is committed to helping, not just its employees, but the wider community, to do their bit to reduce energy consumption, save energy costs, reduce waste and alternative modes of transport.
Council staff will encourage everyone in our local community to adapt to the impacts of climate change, reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions and to make public their commitment to action by showing them the small things they can do to make a big difference.
The Energy Saving Trust administer the Nottingham Declaration. Philip Sellwood, Chief Executive said: “We are delighted that Walsall Council has shown its commitment to climate change and signed this very important declaration.
“Climate change is occurring and will continue to have far reaching effects on the UK’s people and places, economy, society and environment. It is therefore encouraging to see support for the reduction of green house gases at both a national, local and regional level.”
Councillor Rachel Walker, Cabinet member for Environment, said: “The Council’s climate change Strategy and Action Plan 2007-2012 will tackle a range of everyday activities, which can be managed to reduce the impact on our environment. Together we really can make a big difference.”
How many other local authorities have signed?
View a full list of current signatories
Contact us
Carol Edmondson
Regeneration Officer
Regeneration – Delivery and Development
Walsall Council
Darwall Street
Walsall
WS1 1TP
Telephone 01922 652864
Email edmondsonc@walsall.gov.uk