Richmond welcomes gathering support for action on climate change

5.08.15pm GMT Fri 7th Dec 2007

The key role that Councils can play in tackling climate change, highlighted in a report this week, has been hailed by Richmond Council as "Evidence of just how important the role of local government is in meeting this vital challenge."

The report, to be published by the Local Government Association's Independent Climate Change Commission on Wednesday December 5, emphasises the vital job that local government can play in the battle to reduce global warming. In a key finding, the report says that Councils can help cut carbon emissions by 150 million tonnes of CO2 a year, contributing significantly to the national target of up to 32 per cent reductions that central Government has pledged to achieve by 2020. The report says that many authorities are already playing their part in fighting climate change. But it also warns that, if some Councils fail to respond to the climate change challenge in the next two years, then central Government should legislate to ensure they take action.

. . Richmond's Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Martin Elengorn, commented:

"The LGA is supporting the approach that we have pioneered here in Richmond upon Thames. The parking permit scheme linked to C02 emissions, for example, was a national first which a number of other local authorities have now followed. And I am very pleased at the gathering support by Councils for action on climate change. We are aiming to be an exemplar borough on this issue and the LGA report reveals very starkly the key role that local government can play in meeting this vital challenge."