NEWS RELEASES
District Climate Change Strategy launched
3 June 2009
‘ACTING Together on Climate Change’, the first climate change strategy for the Horsham District, is to be launched on 5 June.
The launch coincides with World Environment Day and this year’s theme is “UNite to combat climate change. Your planet needs you”. World Environment Day is an annual event which raises awareness across the globe of important environmental issues.
Importantly, the climate change strategy is for the whole Horsham District and not just for Horsham District Council. It sets out targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions across the District and in everything that the Council does. It also starts the process of actions needed to prepare for future climate conditions.
The strategy outlines current activities by the District Council relating to climate change and sets out actions over the next five years. It is a starting point in terms of Council actions, as these will be continually reviewed and updated.
Whilst this is an important issue for the Council, climate change can only be tackled if everyone that lives and works in the District also takes action: only by “acting together” can climate change be addressed.
Leader of Horsham District Council, Cllr Robert Nye, says: “Climate Change is one of the greatest challenges that we face both globally and locally. Horsham District Council will play its part in addressing this issue, but we will only be effective by acting together with the local community.”
The strategy gives ideas for individuals, groups and businesses on action that they can take. In addition, in these difficult economic times many of these actions will save money as well as saving the planet.
The Horsham District Climate Change Strategy and suggested actions can be viewed on a new website www.actingtogether.co.uk
Ends
Notes to editors:
World Environment Day (WED) was established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment.
Commemorated yearly on 5 June, WED is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. The day's agenda is to:
- Give a human face to environmental issues;
- Empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development;
- Promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues;
- Advocate partnership which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.
The theme for WED 2009 is 'Your Planet Needs You-UNite to Combat Climate Change'. It reflects the urgency for nations to agree on a new deal at the crucial climate convention meeting in Copenhagen some 180 days later in the year, and the links with overcoming poverty and improved management of forests.
To mark the event there will be a series of events held throughout the World.
There are also tips on how we can all do our part to protect the planet by “using less” and “acting more”.
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk