Council shows commitment to tackling Climate Emergency ahead of COP26

As part of the journey to becoming a carbon neutral organisation and supporting the borough to reach net zero emissions, Cheshire West and Chester Council has made two pledges to show their commitment to tackling the Climate Emergency ahead of COP26 taking place at the end of this week.

The Council is already a member of UK100, a network of UK local authorities who have pledged to play their part in the global effort to avoid the worst impact of climate change by switching to 100 per cent clean energy. Building on this commitment, the Council has now signed up to the UK100 Net Zero pledge, which states that the Council will bring the organisation’s emissions to net zero by 2030.  As part of this pledge, the Council will also work with residents and businesses in the area to bring the borough’s emissions to net zero by 2045, five years earlier than the Government’s national target.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “We are thrilled to sign up to the UK100 network’s Net Zero Pledge and join local authorities nationally to commit to reducing our carbon emissions.

“COP26 is a unique opportunity to change how we tackle the climate crisis. It is focused on collaborative working and our Climate Emergency response plan is clear that we need to work together, as a borough and alongside other local authorities and the Government. As one of the UK’s highest emitting local authorities, we feel a real responsibility to take action now to contribute our fair share to keeping global temperature rise to below 1.5°C, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building sustainable, prosperous and healthy communities.

“By working together with our UK100 partners, we can make our collective voice stronger than ever, showcase achievements in the borough and ensure that Cheshire West and Chester is at the heart of the green industrial revolution.”

Locally, the Council has joined other businesses and individuals to take part in Cheshire West Voluntary Action’s (CWVA) Green Pledges campaign, with a set of actions pledged to help the Council to achieve its carbon neutral targets.

The 10 pledges align with the Council’s Climate Emergency Response Plan and Carbon Management Plan.

1. Flying – The Council will continue to minimise personal and business air flights
2. Car emissions – The Council will continue to reduce business mileage and change to electric and renewably fuelled vehicles
3. Consumption – The Council will proactively attempt to reduce its resource consumption
4. Reuse and recycle – The Council will support residents to increase reuse and recycling of resources
5. 100 per cent renewable energy – The Council will move towards using 100 per cent renewable energy sources
6. Low Carbon Industry - The Council will ensure its resources contribute to achieving a rapid transition to decarbonised industry
7. Eat healthy, eat local – The Council will promote the role of local food producers, to reduce transport emissions associated with imported food, and promote healthy eating and lifestyles in line with the Council’s Healthy Weight pledge
8. Food waste – The Council will seek to reduce food waste
9. Protecting our trees – The Council will continue to commit to planting and maintaining more trees
10. Single Use Plastics – The Council will continue to work to reduce the use of single use plastics.

Councillor Matt Bryan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Climate Emergency, said: “These 10 pledges set out some of the steps that we are taking locally, as a Council to become a carbon neutral organisation, and show our commitment to playing our part in the national and global effort to tackle climate change.

“We want to lead from the front on this agenda and inspire other organisations and individuals across the borough to join us in taking steps to reducing their carbon footprint and, in turn, creating healthier, more resilient communities that embrace and protect the local environment.”

Groups and individuals can sign up to CWVA’s Green Pledges campaign by visiting:

www.chesterva.org.uk/green-pledges-campaign

Share what you are doing to tackle the Climate Emergency on the Council’s Climate Emergency Inspire page:

http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/tackleclimate

Christopher Hammond, Network Membership Director at UK100, said:

"We're thrilled to welcome Cllr Louise Gittins to UK100's network of highly ambitious local government leaders that are committed to a Net Zero transition.

The fundamental challenge of our time is moving towards Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions to preserve our way of life and avert climate breakdown. It's a task that will need bold leadership, legislative clarity, shifts in behaviour and enthusiastic adoption of new technologies.

Local Government is uniquely placed to overcome these challenges. Not only do they provide services, but they have a unique sphere of influence. Fantastic things are already happening in county, city, town and village halls across the country. Making their communities fairer, safer and greener.

By joining UK100 and committing to bold targets, Cheshire West and Chester Council has demonstrated that it is facing these challenges and playing a decisive role in tackling climate change ahead of the National Government's target."

Pictured - Councillor Matt Bryan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Climate Emergency.