Putting Climate Change Back on the Agenda (Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats)

Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats <info@oxfordshirelibdems.org.uk>

Putting Climate Change Back on the Agenda

October 28, 2009 4:26 PM

At a time when climate change is high on the world's agenda with the Copenhagen Summit in view, and following Liberal Democrat action on the environment in Parliament, Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats are calling on the County Council to increase their efforts to reduce greenhouse gases in a motion going to the Council meeting next week. Noting that the Council's own targets appear to be stalling, Lib Dem Councillors will ask the Cabinet to urgently find better ways to manage carbon output, such as drawing up incentive schemes to encourage better energy use in buildings and services that are failing to meet the targets and planting more trees to absorb CO2 on its own land. As an interim measure, the Lib Dems are also asking the Council to sign up to the 10:10 campaign - to cut CO2 by10% by 2010.

A report to Cabinet on 20th October showed a rise in carbon emissions in 2008/9, partly due to the cold weather, and concluded that "emissions reductions are well behind target".

Cllr Anne Purse said, "Taking measures to reduce climate change is urgent and it is vital to act within the next few years. I was pleased when the Council set a target of 18% reduction for itself, but disappointed and concerned to hear recently that we are not on track to deliver this. A large number of councils have recently signed up to the 10:10 campaign, and committing ourselves to this would be one way to encourage a change for the better."