Ask your Council to support action on climate change

The UK Government has changed how it measures the performance of local government. Councils must now report how much climate-changing carbon dioxide they release.

Cutting carbon emissions must be one of your Council's key targets if we are to tackle climate change quickly and effectively.

Some councils are already setting a good example:

• London Borough of Merton
  - insists all new development over a certain size includes on-site renewable energy schemes.
• Woking Borough Council
  - has pioneered highly efficient neighbourhood combined heat and power schemes

Other ways councils can cut carbon dioxide emissions include:

• Improving public transport.
• Routes for walking and cycling.
• Car clubs.
• Free climate change advice.

The Government has published a national policy for tackling climate change, which councils should use when putting together plans for your area. It's called Planning Policy Statement 1: Supplement Climate Change.

Please ask your council to ensure that new developments are considered in light of this latest policy on climate change.

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Contact your local authority

It's a two step process.

1. Find your local authority
2. Email your local authority

Step 1 of 2: Find your local authority    

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The Government has just published the new planning policy statement on climate change which is directly relevant to planning decisions. This planning policy statement requires you to take action on climate change, stating: "There is therefore an urgent need for action on climate change". The policy goes on to describe actions to be taken to reduce emissions from transport, housing, and overall land use. In addition, the policy states on energy: "In developing their core strategy and supporting local development documents, planning authorities should provide a framework that promotes and encourages renewable and low-carbon energy generation." We urge the council to take action immediately on revising its policies to ensure that the best decisions for the future in addressing climate change are being taken now.

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