Government cuts could decimate council climate action - new report19 May 2011
The huge funding cuts and massive changes to local government could decimate council action to tackle climate change.
That's the key finding of a new report by Tony Travers of LSE and commissioned by Friends of the Earth.
The report suggests that the Government's cuts are so severe that local councils will struggle to maintain spending on services such as:
- protecting the environment
- cutting carbon emissions.
If councils aren't required to protect the environment, this could lead to unsustainable and uneven development across the country.
The Government's conducting a huge, dangerous experiment with local government.
David Powell, Friends of the Earth campaigner
MPs are debating the Energy Bill at the moment.
Friends of the Earth is calling for the Bill to ensure all councils have to take action on climate change.
Action from local councils to cut emissions will lead to:
- more green energy
- better public transport
- warmer homes.
Meeting the UK's commitment to slashing carbon emissions means every local area has to do its fair share - too much is at stake for action to be left only to the most determined councils.
David Powell, Friends of the Earth campaigner
Take action
Take action - please ask Energy and Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker, to back a strong Energy Bill.
