Nottingham Declaration
Walsall Council joins fight against climate change
Walsall Council has become the latest local authority to show its commitment to tackling climate change by signing the Nottingham Declaration.
Local councils have now signed up to the declaration, and 170 are now pledging to actively tackle climate change in their area and help the UK deliver its national climate change targets.
View the council's press release on the declaration
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the background to the Nottingham Declaration on climate change?
The declaration is a voluntary pledge to address the issues of climate change. It represents a high-level, broad statement of commitment that any council can make to its own community. The declaration was originally launched in October 2000 at a conference in Nottingham with 200 leaders, chief executives and senior managers of UK local government.
Why was it re-launched?
To mark the fifth anniversary of the declaration it was re-launched on 5 December 2005 at the Second National Councils Climate Conference. The new version of the declaration is broadly similar to the original, but better reflects current thinking. The process of revising and re-launching the declaration was undertaken by a steering group that includes all the main national agencies concerned with the different aspects of climate change along with IDeA, LGA, Nottingham City Council and ICLEI, the worldwide association of local governments concerned with sustainability. Further information about the conference, together with copies of the speeches, presentations and workshops, is available at www.nottingham2005.org.
Who should sign the declaration?
The declaration is designed to be signed by the Leader and Chief Executive (or their equivalents) of a council. In doing so, they are committing to ensuring that tackling climate change is a cornerstone of the council's strategy.
What are the benefits of signing?
Addressing the effects of climate change can bring social, environmental and financial benefits for a local authority. The signing itself can be used as a publicity opportunity and the declaration is meant to be framed and displayed somewhere prominent.
How many other local authorities have signed?
A full list of current signatories is available on the website
Can I tailor the declaration?
As a voluntary statement of commitment to their own community, councils have always been free to amend the name and content of the declaration to suit the level of commitment that they wish to make.
Who does my local authority need to notify once we have signed the declaration?
To ensure that the wider community is aware of your commitment it is important to notify the Energy Saving Trust that you have signed the declaration. We will then add you to the list of signatories included on this website. Please do this by e-mailing practicalhelp@est.org.uk.
What happens after my local authority signs the declaration?
The declaration is an important starting point, but we encourage local authorities to develop an action plan to ensure that their good intentions turn into reality. This new declaration is accompanied by a much improved package of support measures that will outline the milestone activities that should be undertaken, together with a range of options on how to do this.
Will our progress be monitored?
A formal monitoring process is not currently in place, and as the declaration is non-statutory there are no sanctions if a council has not delivered on a particular aspect of the declaration. However, you are encouraged to set targets and publicise your achievements in order to maintain momentum and to motivate both staff and the community. If you have any interesting updates then please contact the Energy Saving Trust at practicalhelp@est.org.uk.
What if we have already signed?
You are welcome to sign up to the new declaration if you wish to refresh your commitment, but there is no expectation that you do so.