Tel: 03450 450 500
Email: sustainability@scambs.gov.uk (This link will open in a new window)
About these pages
- The Low-Carbon Living pages have just been launched and are currently under review. You are welcome to send your comments to sustainability@scambs.gov.uk (This link will open in a new window)
Our Partners
- South Cambridgeshire's Environment Group
Help address the issues and monitor the progress of the Community Strategy, which contains a series of actions to help improve the quality of life across the district and that tackle climate change.
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Climate Change Network
A cross-sectoral partnership providing support to public and private sector organisations as well as local communities seeking to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
- South Cambridgeshire Strategic Partnership
The South Cambridgeshire Strategic Partnership (or LSP: Local Strategic Partnership) is a partnership between the council and various partners to work together towards achieving economic, environmental and social standards for the district.
2.1 THE POLITICAL CONTEXT
In this section:
- UK Emissions Reduction Goals
- Scope for Reaching our Targets
- Programs and obligations
- The role of Local Authorities
The Role of Local Authorities
There are 410 local authorities in England and Wales employing over two million people who work to promote the social, economic and environmental well-being of their local areas and communities. Local authorities own 3.4 million houses (13.6% of the total housing stock, which is rising by 1.3% every year).
Local Authorities therefore have a very significant role to play in terms of combating climate change. Positive responses can be delivered through both their in-house activities (e.g. energy use and supply, waste, staff travel and purchasing) and the external services they provide and influence (e.g. planning, transport, waste, energy efficiency services and advice and housing). Alongside this they have a very important leadership role. Go to the second section of the Low-Carbon Living web pages to view what SCDC is doing in this sector.
In September 2007, the government published an Energy Measures Report (This link will open in a new window) specifically addressed to local authorities to guide them towards addressing climate change.
"You may wonder what constructive role an individual can play in making sure that communities of the future are healthier, safer and more responsive to climate change. It is easy to feel overwhelmed - that climate change is too big an issue for a single council to deal with, let alone individual people. However the reality is that every councillor across the country can play a vital role in driving change within local government... Local political and senior officer commitment is the key success factor which can drive change on the ground."
Cllr David Sparks, Chair, LGA Environment Board, June 2005
