Government Backs South West's Big Idea to Combat Climate Change
27/07/2006 14:53The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have today backed a proposal for the South West of England to move towards becoming a low carbon region by launching an action charter to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change. The idea is timely, following David Miliband's recent announcement that the government will look seriously at the idea of 'carbon allowances' where carbon could become a 'new currency'.
Defra have asked all the English regions to come up with a 'big idea' – a sustainability theme on which they will take a UK lead. The South West's proposal was submitted by Sustainability South West (SSW), the region's independent champion of sustainable development, who will work with partners in the region to deliver the aims of the action charter over the next two years.
Organisations and individuals in the region can sign up to the Fair Shares, Fair Choice charter to declare their aspirations to cut carbon emissions. A campaign, website and annual event will promote the idea of carbon limits. The charter will help people to understand about the need to live within a fair carbon allowance in order to avoid dangerous climate change. A simple carbon calculator on the Fair Shares, Fair Choice website will help them to make their own carbon choices.
Jonathon Porritt, Chair of the Sustainable Development Commission and President of Sustainability South West, commented: "The South West has long been a pioneer in many aspects of sustainable development. It makes absolute sense that Sustainability South West should be taking forward the Fair Shares, Fair Choice charter."
"This idea really is about fair shares and fair choices" explained SSW Director, Leslie Watson. "We know we have to limit our individual and collective carbon emissions if we are going to avoid catastrophic climate change. But how we each choose to live within our fair carbon ration is up to us. For example, people may choose to enjoy a holiday here in the South West rather than fly to an overseas location. David Miliband's recent announcement suggests that carbon credits could become a reality sooner or later in the UK so this is the South West's chance to get ahead of the game by introducing a voluntary charter."
Julian Dennis, Chair of Sustainability South West and Director of Compliance and Sustainability at Wessex Water added: "We have a real opportunity here in the South West to put ourselves at the forefront of sustainable development and start to make real carbon reductions in the region. This is a challenge that could stimulate lots of new business opportunities for low carbon goods and services."
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© 2012 Sustainability South West - UK registered charity, no. 1106125 - info@sustainabilitysouthwest.org.uk.