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On Thursday 21st October 2005 Warwickshire County Council took a historic step by signing up to a key agreement to combat global warming.
The Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change requires local authorities to work with the community to develop an action plan to tackle climate change at a local level.
Large amounts of carbon dioxide and other gases building up in the atmosphere are causing the earth's temperature to rise, which is bringing about changes to the climate. In recognition of the seriousness of the issue, the UK Government put climate change at the top of the agenda in 2005 during its presidency of the G8 nations and the European Union. Central Government sees an important role for local authorities in meeting national targets for reduction of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.
By signing the declaration, the County Council committed itself to move towards environmental sustainability by cutting carbon emissions. At the same time, it pledged to work through its local strategic partnerships to develop a joint energy strategy and approach. By July 2006 the Warwickshire Climate Change Strategy was agreed, with the formal launch of the Strategy Partnership being held on 3rd July 2006.
The Nottingham Declaration – which has been signed by 281 other local authorities (Feb 2008), including Nuneaton and Bedworth BC, North Warwickshire BC, Stratford-upon-Avon DC and Rugby Borough Council within Warwickshire – is the most widely recognised policy statement on the subject.
Warwickshire residents have demonstrated their clear concern about global warming. In a recent Citizens’ Panel survey, 74 per cent of respondents said they were “very concerned” or “fairly concerned” about the effects of climate change on their life, and 91 per cent were “very concerned” or “fairly concerned” about the effects on their children’s lives.
In November 2006, the West Mildands Regional Assembly signed the WM Declaration on Climate Change
L-R Jonathan Horsfield, Ian Caulfield, John Deegan, Cllr Ken Browne, Cllr Ian Bottrill and Martin Stott | |
View a copy of the Nottingham Declaration Certificate (252 KB)
Useful links
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Friends of the Earth
Climate Ark
UK Climate Impacts Programme
Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change
DEFRA - Climate Change
BBC - Climate Change
Yes2Wind
Responding to Climate Change |