Council to tackle climate change – but do we understand it?

Cheshire East Council is asking residents for their views on its carbon action plan “to help in the fight against climate change.”

The draft document, covering the next five years details how the council believes carbon neutrality can be achieved and the council is now inviting responses. 

The action plan details how the council believes it could influence carbon reduction in line with the government’s binding target of being net zero by 2050.

The council says: “The road to carbon neutrality will not only reduce Cheshire East’s contribution to climate change but have the additional benefits of improving the wellbeing of residents with warmer homes, cleaner air, cheaper transport, and increased biodiversity.”

Councillor Mick Warren, chair of Cheshire East Council’s environment and communities committee, said: “This is a great opportunity for residents to let us know where they think we should prioritise our efforts, as we tackle climate change across the wider borough. 

“The council has a target which looks at its carbon neutral responsibilities as a local authority, but this draft plan is looking at what we can all do to achieve our target.

“The climate will not wait for us, we need to act swiftly to address the issues that we face and of course I’m speaking about the worldwide challenges, not just those we face here in Cheshire East.

“This plan is here to serve as a starting point – an opportunity for the public to engage with us – so that we ensure we are setting out on the next steps of our journey having considered everything that people are talking about, before committing ourselves to the next five years of our carbon journey.”

Councillor Mary Brooks, Cheshire East Council’s environment and climate change member champion, said: “Tackling climate change is the biggest and most important challenge for humanity. Inaction is not an option if we want to leave a habitable planet for future generations.

“We want to hear views from individuals, businesses, community and faith groups as to how, we as a borough, can collectively act together to tackle this challenge and move to a low carbon economy.”

The consultation will remain open until 31 May.

ilovemacc suggests that members of Cheshire East watch and digest the contents of this video, which challenges the accepted views on climate change, before committing residents to more local legislation and costs.