Committing to action
Lincolnshire County Council and District Councils (Boston BC, City of Lincoln Council, East Lindsey DC, North Kesteven DC, South Holland DC, South Kesteven DC, West Lindsey DC) all signed up to the Nottingham Declaration on climate change in 2007.
Tackling the causes and effects of climate change is a key outcome of the Lincolnshire Sustainable Communities Strategy, with partners having agreed targets around reducing the amount of CO2 emissions from their own operations and adapting to climate change. In addition partners agreed to initiate action to raise public awareness, reduce community emissions and tackle fuel poverty through an area based approach.
- To help achieve these targets, a partnership Climate Change Strategy is being developed, which sets out a framework for action to: Raise awareness of the issue of Climate Change and its impact on Lincolnshire
- Reduce corporate greenhouse gas emissions through carbon management plans
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the county
- Plan for and adapt to the predicted impacts of Climate Change
Getting our own house in order, tackling the causes
- ALL local authorities in Lincolnshire (along with United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust) have completed Carbon Management Plans; have agreed targets for emissions reductions; and are implementing them
- Working collaboratively Lincolnshire Councils procured and installed voltage optimisation in 28 buildings saving £139,000 and 600 tonnes CO2 annually
- Councils and partners have established and supported a network of workplace volunteers (SAGEs – Supporting A Greener Environment) culminating in a conference in July 2010 Through the shared Lincolnshire Procurement service authorities have adopted a Sustainable Procurement policy
Planning for climate change in Lincolnshire
- ALL local authorities in Lincolnshire (along with the other key partners) completed a Local Climate Change Impacts Profile in 2008-09 using an innovative partnership approach;
- ALL local authorities achieved Level TWO for NI 188 (Planning to adapt to climate change) and are on track to attain Level THREE by March 2011 – ensuring that climate change considerations are embedded into our policies, processes and practices ;
- Together, and in partnership with partners we have progressed a Coastal study, been awarded Coastal Pathfinder status and have agreed a Flood and Drainage framework
Making our services more climate friendly and resilient
- Through collaborative working on a County Wide Affordable Warmth Strategy the Home Energy Lincs Partnership (HELP) is delivering an area based approach to domestic insulation
- Working with partners we are piloting gas buses and promoting biomethane as a vehicle fuel; reducing emissions and pollutants
Providing civic leadership on climate change to the wider community
- We are developing the EPIC Lincolnshire Partnership to coordinate our efforts with other local organisations to reduce community carbon footprint www.epic-lincolnshire.org and, in partnership with Lincolnshire Echo and sponsors, have been running a Cutting Lincolnshire’s Carbon campaign (CLiC)
- We are working with Groundwork, Transition Towns in supporting community based initiatives; making energy monitors available in our libraries
- We are supporting Lincolnshire schools in becoming more sustainable through activities such as Sustainable Schools Showcase, School Travel plans, and providing advice, support and finance for reducing their emissions and energy bills.
