The Local Government Association has launched “Climate Local” a new drive which will see councils committing to their own local actions to reduce carbon emissions and improve their ability to protect people and services from the anticipated changes in the weather.

As part of the new scheme, local authorities will be sharing ideas and advice on the best ways to save money on their gas and electricity spend and ensure there are preparations in place for keeping to a minimum disruption caused by extreme weather like snow, floods and heat waves.

The Climate Local Commitment has the support of the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) , Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Environment Agency.

It will build on the success of the Nottingham Declaration and aims to provide a more flexible way for councils to share ideas, actions and achievements which reflect local priorities, risks and opportunities.

Ahead of the launch, 18 councils have so far signalled their intent to sign up to Climate Local, with many more expected over the coming months.

Declarations determined by local councils are likely to include commitments to generate money from renewable energy and create new jobs and investment in green industries in their area, tackle fuel poverty, protect the local environment and improve public transport to encourage more people to seek an alterative to travelling by car.

For full details of the Climate Local Commitment visit: 

http://www.local.gov.uk/web/guest/the-lga-and-climate-change/-/journal_content/56/10171/3574359/ARTICLE-TEMPLATE