Council is urged to go greener (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Council is urged to go greener

1:08pm Thursday 22nd February 2007 in News By Peggy Clatworthy

Tewkesbury Borough Councillors are being urged by local groups to sign a pledge to go greener The Nottingham Declaration commits local authorities to admitting that climate change will have far reaching effects on the UK's economy, society and environment. It also includes a pledge to work towards cutting their own greenhouse emissions and encouraging the community to do the same It is also a promise to work with local health, business and other communities to find ways of adapting to climate change.

It has already been signed by 133 local authorities across the country, including Gloucester City and Cheltenham Borough Councils.

The local branch of Friends of the Earth has written expressing its support for the declaration.

Spokesman Steve Goodchild said: "This is an action we have waited a long time for.

"Most informed people agree that our climate is changing to the detriment of the Earth's ecology and many attribute this to the actions of mankind.

"We owe it to our children to stem this effect if we can."

Tewkesbury Forward group also welcomed the proposal that the council sign the declaration and work towards reducing energy consumption both in its own premises and in the borough generally.

Town Mayor Coun Pete Aldri-dge said: "I would like it to be discussed in detail by the council to look at all the implications and benefits, before making a decision whether or not to support it.

Town Clerk Mike Wilson said that so far the town council had had no communication from the borough council on the matter.