Groundwork chief executive Tony Hawkhead has become a member of the LGA's newly formed Independent Climate Change Commission. This presents a huge opportunity both to strengthen our close working relationships and to influence local government.
Explaining the significance of this invitation, Graham Duxbury, head of policy & communications at Groundwork UK says, This opportunity for Groundwork to feed into the debate is the result of a planned campaign to build relationships with key local government bodies to support positioning activity by Trusts.'
The Commission - recently launched by the Local Government Association - will look at ways in which councils can tackle carbon emissions in their own buildings and facilities, in the services they provide and decisions they take in housing, transport and social services. It will investigate how authorities go about purchasing green goods and services as well as the most effective ways to share best practice. It will explore the leadership role of councils in encouraging individuals, communities and businesses to reduce their emissions. Members will also consult with authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Commission will also consider some of the biggest climate change challenges, such as:
Reducing energy use: by planning local areas so that residents use less energy including green travel plans which encourage people to swap the car for a more environmentally friendly mode of transport;
Promoting a shift in energy efficiency attitudes: looking at the energy efficiency of our homes - currently nine million properties in the country lack cavity wall insulation;
Encouraging the wider use of renewable energy resources: building on the pioneering work of Merton Borough Council to ensure that new developments draw at least 10 % of their energy from renewable sources;
Planning for extreme weather: exploring how best to plan for flooding through managed retreat.
Groundwork supports communities in need across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, working with partners to help improve the quality of people's lives, their prospects and potential and the places where they live, work and play.
Our vision is of a society of sustainable communities which are vibrant, healthy and safe, which respect the local and global environment and where individuals and enterprise prosper.
We work alongside communities, public bodies, private companies and other voluntary sector organisations to deliver projects and programmes that benefit:
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