Action on climate change must not slip down local authority agenda - Mick Bates AM (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

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Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

Action on climate change must not slip down local authority agenda - Mick Bates AM

April 1, 2009 12:00 AM

Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on the Environment, Mick Bates AM, has urged the Minister for Local Government to take action to help local authorities to reach their carbon reduction targets following the launch of the Sustainability Committee report on Carbon Reduction by Industry and Public Bodies in Wales.

Commenting Mick states:

"As part of our inquiry into Carbon Reduction by Industry and Public Bodies, the Sustainability Committee noted during our evidence that there is a lack of a coherent approach to carbon reduction across all departments of local and central government.

"One of our recommendations was therefore that the Welsh Government reviews and amends where necessary all the targets set for public bodies in Wales to ensure they are consistent with carbon reduction targets.

"Local action is key to improving our environment and helping to tackle climate change, but I am deeply concerned that considering the extra pressures on local governments with continued cuts in funding, local authorities will be unable to meet their carbon reduction targets.

"The Welsh Government has a legal duty on sustainable development so it is crucial that they offer support to local authorities to reach these targets. I have written to the Minister Brian Gibbons to ask what additional support the Welsh Government could offer local authorities at this difficult time, to ensure that climate change does not slip down the agenda and local authorities can play a real part in tackling the climate challenge."

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