Wychavon LibDems Propose 10:10 Campaign Sign Up

12.56.00am GMT Sun 6th Dec 2009

The Liberal Democrat Group on Wychavon is calling for the Council to sign up to the 10:10 Campaign.

At the Council meeting on Tuesday 8th December, Group Leader Margaret Rowley is due to propose that the Council should reduce its own carbon emissions by 10% in 2010 and also become part of a national drive to reduce the entire country's carbon footprint. An important part of the 10:10 commitment is spreading the word and seeking to get other people and organisations involved.

With world leaders meeting in Copenhagen to seek a global agreement to address the worsening climate crisis, it is now time for national and local government to take the lead for action on climate change.

Worcestershire County Council has already warmly supported the Cabinet decision to sign up to the 10:10 campaign as proposed by the Liberal Democrat Group, and the Council has urged its Members to sign up as individuals to the 10:10 campaign and encourage individuals, businesses and organisations across Worcestershire to sign up as well.

Wychavon's carbon footprint has been shown to be the largest by a significant margin compared to the other districts in Worcestershire. Data published by the Department for Energy and Climate Change shows that the average per capita carbon dioxide emissions (carbon footprint) for Wychavon in 2007 to be 8.7 tonnes, whereas in Bromsgrove and Worcester it was 6.2 and 6.1 tonnes respectively.

Under the UK Climate Change Act 2008 the UK is due to cut its emissions by 34% by 2020 and according to climate change scientists, a cut of 10% in 2010 is in line with what is now needed to avert runaway climate change.

Climate change predictions show that without severe cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, the world will be hit by drought, flooding and famine affecting all of us and the poorest countries in particular. Some of these countries are already suffering from the effects of climate change. This is an issue of social justice as well as a call to take environmental action.

We therefore call on Wychavon District Council to support the aims and ambitions of the 10:10 Campaign and to sign up for the 10:10 Campaign.

We therefore urge all councillors to sign up as individuals to the 10:10 campaign, and encourage officers, residents, businesses and organisations across the District to sign up as well.