A new Climate and Nature Partnership Board is leading the way and coordinating action across the county to tackle climate change, with the vision of a zero-carbon nature-rich Herefordshire by 2030.
With members from a range of backgrounds including business, community organisations and individuals, the Climate and Nature Partnership Board will identify priorities, take action themselves and encourage other individuals and organisations to pledge specific changes they will make.
A number of Climate and Nature Action Plans have already been created over the past year by a committed group of residents. These pull together six key areas where changes, large and small, will make a difference to climate change:
- Housing and buildings
- Energy
- Transport
- Food
- Land use and farming
- Waste
The Climate and Nature Partnership Board will coordinate how these changes are implemented across the county. This will include encouraging everyone living and working in Herefordshire to make a pledge to take action themselves to reduce their carbon footprint.
Councillor Ellie Chowns, Cabinet member for environment and economy said:
“The council has declared a climate and ecological emergency, demonstrating our commitment to protecting Herefordshire’s natural environment, biodiversity and wildlife. We’re on track to be a zero-carbon council by 2030. We are now looking to the wider county to play its part in addressing the much bigger issues of emissions from homes, businesses and transport.
“We are delighted to have brought together an excellent group of people for the Climate and Nature Partnership Board, who are enthusiastic and passionate about protecting the county for future generations. It is fitting that their first meeting is being held at the same time as the Climate Change Conference being held in Glasgow. While a spotlight is being thrown on the action that is needed globally to tackle climate change, there is so much we can all be doing closer to home towards a low-carbon future. Climate change is a shared global challenge that means we all have to play our part.
“I encourage everyone to think about what they can do at home and at work to reduce their carbon footprint and make a pledge to take action.”