Lib Dems in Waltham Forest Take Lead on Climate Change

Speech by Bob Belam, councillor for Chapel End and the Council's Environment Portfolio Holder on Wed 6th Feb 2008

Liberal Democrats on Waltham Forest Council have been leading the way in demonstrating how local authorities, working with residents, can make a real difference in the fight against harmful climate change

Below is the full text of the successful Liberal Democrat motion on local climate change, which was put to Full Council in December:

Never has the environment been a bigger issue than it is today, and never have elected representatives had a greater responsibility to address public concerns about climate change.

According to survey figures published by DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), 75% believe that if most people in the UK recycled more, cut down their car use or flew less, it would have a major or medium impact on the UK's contribution to climate change.

Statistics also show that residents are now prepared to take the practical action that is needed to make a positive difference. The proportion of people in the UK recycling paper, glass and plastic has almost doubled since 2001.

However, whilst central government are beginning to implement broader plans to find a solution to these pressing environmental concerns, local authorities, as direct public service providers, have a bigger role to play in the fight to reverse the trend of harmful climate change.

According to a study by the New Local Government Network, if all UK councils matched the performance of those local authorities ranked best at tackling climate change, local government action could collectively reduce CO2 production by 60 per cent by 2019, 31 years before central government expects to reach this level of saving.

Local councils are looking to lead the way on climate change by driving through ambitious schemes that address their residents growing concerns about the environment. Liberal Democrat led Islington Council, for example, have introduced a series of simple but effective 'green' initiatives, such as running all street lamps in the borough on environmentally friendly renewable energy.

Most recently, the cross-party London Councils group have unveiled proposals that would see a London-wide ban, or levy, placed on the distribution of throw away shopping bags.

The Liberal Democrats estimate that 17 million disposable plastic bags are given away to shoppers each year, with just one in every 200 being recycled. Not only is this figure unsustainable in terms of the production of non-recyclable waste, it also carries a financial cost to local authorities and to taxpayers in Waltham Forest as a result of landfill charges.

As a densely populated London borough, we face specific challenges in turning environmental awareness into positive practical action. However, Waltham Forest Council have also been leading the way in demonstrating how local authorities, working with residents, can make a real difference. The introduction of the borough-wide compulsory recycling scheme has already seen a cut in landfill. The range of items that can be recycled within the borough has also been increased, whilst groundbreaking 'green' parking charges have also been successfully introduced.

Treated in isolation, though, individual actions and initiatives can only do so much. A co-ordinated approach is needed across the borough if a positive difference, and a legacy of 'green' action, is to be achieved for both the present and future residents of Waltham Forest.

To meet this need for a 'joined up' approach across the administration, Waltham Forest Council should set an example to its residents, partners and businesses within the borough by putting the consideration of environmental issues at the heart of everything the Council does. Environmentally sustainable development should be central to our planning policy, whilst new homes should be built with energy efficiency as a major priority. The Council should operate a policy of 'green' procurement, sending a message to our partners about the way in which we work and the standards that we expect for our residents.

Most importantly, the consideration given to these important issues by the Council should be laid out clearly so that we can be judged by the residents we serve on our commitment to meeting public expectations in tackling climate change.

As a Council, we should be standard bearers for Waltham Forest residents regarding environmental action.

Therefore, this council welcomes:

· the work being undertaken to address residents environmental concerns through the signing of the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change.

· the huge growth in recycling rates, and the fall in landfill usage, made possible by residents as part of the Council's commitment to a compulsory recycling scheme.

· the ongoing improvements being made to sustainability within Waltham Forest both as a result of the Sustainable Communities Strategy and through the appointment of specialists to measure the borough's carbon footprint and examine climate change issues within the borough.

In order to build on this work, this Council resolves to:

· include a 'Climate Change Impact Assessment' in every report produced for the Council. The assessment will become a central pillar of all reports and will be used to measure the predicted environmental impact of Council activities, allowing residents to judge the Council on its commitment to the proper consideration of environmental issues.

· work in partnership with local businesses on proposals to introduce a 'bag for life' scheme for shoppers in Waltham Forest, and to launch a borough-wide campaign to gain voluntary agreement to end the practice of providing free plastic bags within the borough.

· reduce heating costs and energy usage in council facilities through the better insulation of buildings.

Existing facilities will be thoroughly checked to ensure that they are properly insulated and contributing to a reduction in energy usage and heating bills. Better insulation will also become a key consideration in any refurbishment of Council buildings.

· liaise with Facilities Management in order to make suitable reductions to the temperature in Council buildings as a result of improved insulation and 'heat efficiency'.

· implement, where possible, energy efficient lighting devices in council buildings, such as energy saving light bulbs, motion sensitive lighting and timer switches.

· actively encourage all Council staff to switch off all unnecessary lights in empty buildings and to turn off all appliances in Council offices when they are not being used.

Not only will these simple actions help the environment and save taxpayers money, but they will also help Waltham Forest Council to take a lead in changing the culture on energy efficiency.

· investigate potential ways in which the Council could effectively make use of renewable energy or biofuels as part of its operations.