Press release

Voluntary approach to tackling climate change locally is failing - new survey

31 March 2011

A voluntary approach to tackling climate change locally is failing, Friends of the Earth warns today with new research revealing less than a third [28 per cent] of councils have an effective plan for slashing carbon emissions this decade and beyond.

The survey of England's 354 councils carried out by the green charity shows just 22 have a target equivalent to cutting local emissions by at least 40 per cent by 2020 - the scale of action Government advisor the Committee on Climate Change says is needed across the UK.

Friends of the Earth is calling for the Government's Energy Bill, currently being debated in Parliament, to make sure tackling climate change is a core responsibility for every council.

The environmental campaigning charity's call is supported by 40 councils from all parties, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Women's Institute and trade unions.

Friends of the Earth's Climate Campaigner Liz Hutchins said:

"Our research shows the voluntary approach to tackling climate change locally is not working - while some councils are leading impressive action to cut carbon, most are being left behind.

"Making our communities cleaner and greener shouldn't be an after-thought - councils are telling us a legal requirement would help them create jobs and cut costs, through green schemes like insulating homes and improving public transport.

"The Government must make sure local action to tackle climate change is part of its new Energy Bill."

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. A briefing on what Friends of the Earth is calling for in the Energy Bill is available.
2. You can see a petition of councils calling for a change to the law.  Other supporters include: the Federation of Small Business, the National Federation of Women's Institutes, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the public services union Unison, and the University and College Union.
3. Friends of the Earth's Get Serious About CO2 campaign is calling for every council to act now to cut carbon emissions locally in line with the ambition of the Climate Change Act. 17 councils, covering more than 10 per cent of England's population, have already committed to a target of least 40 per cent emissions reduction in the local area by 2020.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust