Council signs up to climate change declaration

WILTSHIRE Council has become the latest local authority to show its commitment to the fight against climate change by signing the Nottingham Declaration this week.

More than 300 local councils have now signed the declaration, each pledging to actively tackle climate change in their area and to help the UK deliver its national climate change targets.

By signing the declaration Wiltshire Council has agreed to develop plans with its partners and local community over the next two years to address the causes and impacts of climate changes. The council will work with all sectors to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, increase the community’s resilience to climate change and tackle fuel poverty.

Alistair Cunningham, the council’s service director for economy and enterprise, said: “I'm pleased that we've made this pledge to combat climate change. It shows that Wiltshire Council is committed to reducing its carbon footprint. The council will also work with partners, communities and businesses across the county to reduce their carbon footprints.”

Gary Mantle, director of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and chair of the new Wiltshire Environmental Alliance, said: “We are delighted that Wiltshire Council has shown its commitment to climate change and signed this very important declaration. Climate change is occurring and will continue to have far reaching effects on the UK’s people and places, economy, society and environment.”