Consultation – “Live for the Future: Tackling Climate Change”
What can the Winchester District do to help tackle climate change? Well that is what Winchester City Council is currently asking you. Everyone can play their part and help to make a real difference to the carbon levels in the district, and we want to hear what you are doing, both on an individual and community level.
We are now consulting on “Live for the Future: Tackling Climate Change”, the plan to address climate change in the Winchester District.
Cllr Frank Pearson portfolio holder for Environment, Health and Safety said, “The draft plan is a local response to this issue and sets out what we want to achieve, but this is just a starting point. All parts of the community, the public sector, private sector, organisations and individuals can contribute: these contributions are vital as it is the many small actions that will add up to make the difference. We hope people will let us know about projects and actions they are taking, as these are a valuable part of this plan.”
The draft plan provides a framework of the key impacts as they affect the Winchester district, and includes consultation questions which touch upon the key issues and around which you can frame a response.
The website will in future include inspirational examples of the actions Winchester district residents, businesses and the community are taking. If you want to share what you are doing use the response form online and we may be in touch to use your story to inspire others.
The consultation is open until the end of August.
Notes to Editors:
1. Work undertaken for the South-East Climate Change Partnership predicts that by the 2080’s:
Summers will be hotter by 2-6°C and will have 20-60% less rainfall
Winters will be warmer by 1.5-3.5°C and have 1-30% more rainfall
It could be warm enough for 40-100 extra days of plant growth per year (currently about 250 days per year)
There will be greater frequency of extreme events – storms, floods and drought – and these will be more severe.
2. Winchester district emits around 12 tonnes CO2 per person per year, according to DEFRA statistics. This compares to a national average of 9.4 tonnes.
3. It is important to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the worst effects of climate change; but also necessary to plan for the unavoidable climate change we will experience in the next few decades. Winchester district’s draft plan therefore covers four important interrelated areas: greenhouse gas emissions reduction; renewable energy generation; adaptation planning and community involvement.