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A major priority for the council is to establish a new
focus for climate change in Kent. Its effects on Kent's
environment, communities and economy will cut across all areas of
our work and services.
Of course, we need to find ways to cut emissions, but we also
need to work out how to adapt to the changes that are already
inevitable and that will shape the lives of Kent's residents and
the services we provide for you.
Recent storms, flooding and drought have given us a glimpse of
the problems that might lie in the future if the growth in
greenhouse gas emissions is left unchecked. Kent's contribution to
these emissions is of course relatively small. But that doesn't
mean that we can't make a difference.
The way in which we respond to the challenge now will set a
course, not just for the council, but for the county as a whole and
for years to come.
So we will be working through the Kent Partnership to develop a
Climate Change Action Plan for Kent that will draw together action
from across the county. The aim is for the council to take the lead
in helping our community to face up to the challenge ahead and to
seize the opportunities it presents.
Our commitments
In December 2006, Kent County Council made a series of
commitments in response to the recommendations of the Select
Committee on Climate Change. These commitments will affect the way
we work and the services we provide.
Full details are available by downloading a copy of the
Select Committee Report on Climate Change - October 2006.
You can also download the
Cabinet Working Group's response to the
Select Committee's recommendations, which was approved by
Council in December 2006.
Nottingham Declaration
The declaration is a voluntary commitment to address the issues
raised by climate change. The declaration was originally launched
in October 2000 at a conference in Nottingham with 200 leaders,
chief executives and senior managers of UK local government. Kent
County Council was amongst the first 100 signatories.
By signing the declaration, the council acknowledges the
increasing impact that climate change will have on our community
during the 21st century and commits to tackling the causes and
effects of a changing climate on our county.
Further information on the Nottingham Declaration is available
on the Energy Saving Trust's
Nottingham Declaration website (link opens
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