Braintree District Council is reminding all concerned that there’s only a few days left to give their views and prioritise actions to help tackle climate change at a local level.
The Council declared a Climate Change Emergency in July 2019 and announced a target to be carbon neutral as a Council as far as practical by 2030, as well as supporting our communities to reduce the impacts of climate change across the district.
The research undertaken by Climate Change Working Group, represented by councillors, businesses, residents and community organisations within the district, led to the creation of the draft strategy which looks to:
- Make Council activities carbon neutral as far as practical by 2030
- Support partners, residents, and local businesses to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030
- Build resilient communities that adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The draft strategy went out for public engagement back in May, giving residents and businesses the chance to share their priorities on a range of different initiatives, which aim to tackle climate change in the areas of: resources, energy conservation, planning and development, transport, council assets and operations, natural environment and adapting to climate change.
Cllr. Wendy Schmitt, Braintree District Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “The climate crisis is one of the most significant issues to face our society, our environment and our planet. We have seen a rapid global rise in greenhouse gas emissions over the last 100 years and a trend towards increasing global average temperatures over the last century. Climate change is not something we can deal with alone - but as a community we can make real lasting change. Please, use this opportunity to tell us your priorities and let us know if our draft climate change strategy mirrors the things you care about.”
You can give your views and priorities as part of the engagement activity up until Sunday 4 July, 2021 via www.braintree.gov.uk/climatechange or, by using the council’s interactive engagement tool where you can allocate 100 points on different initiatives against a number of options which reflect choices that can be made to contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
The online tool is thought provoking and can be found here: https://braintreedistrictcouncil.prioritysimulator.com/
Feedback received will help shape the final version of the strategy and future action plans due to be presented to Council later in the year.
So if climate change matters to you – now is time to have your say!
Paper copies of the draft strategy document and response form are available on request by calling the council’s Customer Service Centre on 01376 552525.