South West CoRE : Environment

The Environment

CLIMATE CHANGE

Press Release - March 2007

Friends of the Earth today warmly welcomed the proposal by the South West Regional Assembly to draw up a Climate Change Action Plan for the South West [1].

The proposal is due to be adopted at the Assembly's full meeting on Friday 16th March in Exeter, and comes in the same week as the Government's launch of a Climate Bill [2]. The Climate Bill was a key demand of Friends of the Earth's Big Ask campaign for a legal framework to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least 3 percent a year [3].

Mike Birkin, South West Campaigns Co-ordinator for Friends of the Earth, said: "The Government has made its intentions clear. We are going to have a legal framework to reduce carbon emissions, and all local councils and regional bodies will have a key role in making the targets a reality."

The Regional Assembly's commitment is important because - As statutory planning body for the SouthWest, it can set standards for all large developments and ensure that zero carbon homes become the norm more quickly than is proposed by national government.

Government asks for advice from regional bodies in setting priorities for spending in transport, housing and economic development.

Mike Birkin added: "In the South West we are very vulnerable to the impacts of Climate Change, but we also have great economic opportunities from meeting the challenge of reducing our carbon emissions. But to do this we need to have a clear plan with targets to ensure we keep on track".

"The Regional Assembly is taking an important step, and we call on the Regional Development Agency and Government Office for the South West to match the Assembly's leadership."

More Information

Tomorrow's Climate Todays Challenge

Farming Futures - In June 2007, 81% of farmers surveyed in England by this project believe the global climate is changing and 70% believe these changes can offer business benefits.
Source - Form of the Future - www.farmingfutures.org.uk

Their website aims to provide information on the challenges and opportunities of climate change, as well as suggested adaptations and mitigation measures which farmers could start considering.

Farming Futures is a collaboration project between the National Farmers Union, Country Land and Business Association and the Applied Research Forum (representing the agricultural and horticultural levy boards). The project is coordinated by Forum for the Future and funded by Defra's Climate Challenge Fund.

Feautured on their website are case studies relating to how others are tackling climate change. To read more visit www.farmingfutures.org.uk/x10.xml