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South West climate plan welcomed
15 March 2007
Friends of the Earth today warmly welcomed the proposal by the South West Regional Assembly to draw up a Climate Change Action Plan for the South West [1].
The proposal is due to be adopted at the Assembly's full meeting on Friday 16th March in Exeter, and comes in the same week as the Government's launch of a Climate Bill [2]. The Climate Bill was a key demand of Friends of the Earth's Big Ask campaign for a legal framework to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least 3 percent a year [3].
Mike Birkin, South West Campaigns Co-ordinator for Friends of the Earth, said:
"The Government has made its intentions clear. We are going to have a legal framework to reduce carbon emissions, and all local councils and regional bodies will have a key role in making the targets a reality."
The Regional Assembly's commitment is important because:
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As statutory planning body for the South West, it can set standards for all large developments and ensure that zero carbon homes become the norm more quickly than is proposed by national government.
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Government asks for advice from regional bodies in setting priorities for spending in transport, housing and economic development.
Mike Birkin added:
"In the South West we are very vulnerable to the impacts of Climate Change, but we also have great economic opportunities from meeting the challenge of reducing our carbon emissions. But to do this we need to have a clear plan with targets to ensure we keep on track".
"The Regional Assembly is taking an important step, and we call on the Regional Development Agency and Government Office for the South West to match the Assembly's leadership."
Notes
[1] The Assembly is due to adopt the South West Regional Declaration on Climate Change at its full meeting at Devon County Council chamber in Exeter on Friday 16th March 2007.
[2] The Climate Bill will set legally binding long term and medium term targets for reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. See press releases from Friends of the Earth:
[3] See www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/news/big_ask.html
If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.
Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jun 2008
