Energy reduction is vital to safeguard peoples jobs,
lives and livelihoods. Richmond and Twickenham Friends of the Earth has
campaigned for many years on climate issues including:
- Campaigning for new legislation for the UK to reduce emissions
(the Climate Act 2008)
- Getting Richmond Council to consider the energy implications of their policies
- Campaigning for increased investment in renewable energy
- Showing households how to save money and reduce their energy waste
- Demanding that the government sign up and adhere to international climate treaties
- Highlighting the links between airport expansion, increased air travel and damage to the climate
Councils have a big say in UK climate emissions - from how we heat and fuel our homes to how we get around. If they get serious about climate change it boosts the local economy, creates jobs and slashes our fuel bills.
Our energy campaign is calling for London Borough of Richmond to join other councils around the country such as Islington, Harrow, Haringey, Manchester and Bristol in:
- Setting a target to reduce CO2 emissions in Richmond by 40% by 2020;
- Updating its climate change strategy and action plan to show how this will be achieved; and
- Supporting the introduction of legislation that obliges all local authorities to take action to reduce CO2 emissions in their area.
We are pleased that LB Richmond has finally begun to show an interest in updating its climate change strategy and is holding discussions with representatives of interested groups like Richmond and Twickenham Friends of the Earth, South West London Environment Network, Ham Hydro and councillors from the Environmental Scrutiny Committee. It proposes issuing a draft strategy in May 2012 which is not as soon as we hoped but will allow it to take on board the advice to be offered to local authorities by the Committee on Climate Change.
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This is the progress report to the Environmental Scrutiny committee on updating the climate change strategy presented on 15th November 2011