Gauging The Green Mood In Nottingham

Transport is one area where the council hopes it can reduce carbon emissions

 By Ben Aulakh

A Midlands council is asking people for their views on how it can best create a prosperous, low carbon, green economy in their city.  

Nottingham City Council has launched a public consultation, giving city dwellers an opportunity to help draft the city’s Community Climate Change Strategy.

The local authority is hoping to gauge the city’s feelings on how the issue of climate change can be tackled, in the areas of jobs and the economy, energy saving, public transport, food production  and green spaces.

The council is hoping that the draft policy will outline how it plans to use the green economy, covering everything from jobs and solar panels, to environmentally friendly public transport and locally sourced food, to tackle the issue of global warming.

The strategy will be a partnership between the city’s Green Partnership and the city council.

The Chair of Nottingham Green Partnership Richard Barlow said, “I am pleased that both us and the council are taking what we believe is a unique approach to making climate change locally relevant through Ward based actions.”

Councillor Alan Clark, Nottingham City Council's Portfolio Holder for Energy and Sustainability added, “Tackling climate change is both necessary and an opportunity.

“It affects all aspects of living, working and enjoying Nottingham; therefore I would encourage everyone to download our draft Community Climate Change Strategy and have their say on the priorities for the future.”

The plan will outline how local wards, estates, streets, offices, factories, educational establishments and open spaces all have a part to play in tackling the issue, through the use of resources, how people travel and use their leisure time.

One of the key aims of the proposal will be to deliver a significant reduction in carbon emissions in the city by the year 2020.

The council is also hoping to support the creation of jobs and apprenticeships in a new green economy in the city.

The consultation is open to anyone in Nottingham up to when it closes on Friday September 9.