Climate Change
The UK’s emissions of greenhouse gases probably need to reduce by a minimum of 60% by 2050, in order to play our part in slowing global and local climate change.
Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases touches every part of how we live and work – from better manufacturing processes and more energy-efficient buildings, to reducing food miles, using public transport, recycling and home insulation. It also means establishing targets for the amount of energy that we use from low-carbon sources such as wind, biomass and solar energy.
Suffolk has abundant potential for renewable energy, and is already home to the UK’s largest offshore wind farm project at Greater Gabbard and the new Orbis Energy centre at Lowestoft is also leading the way in developing new renewable technology. Increasing our renewable energy resources is a key part of the Greenest County project and how we do this must be carefully considered.
We are working to establish the size of Suffolk’s carbon footprint as the first step towards setting targets to reduce it, which will be announced at the conference in October. Working with CRed Suffolk, we are going to set ambitious targets for business sectors, the public agencies, and domestic carbon reduction – and those who have signed the Statement of Intent have committed to respond to these. We are asking our partners to build carbon reduction into their corporate plans – from reducing waste and specifying green goods, to building more energy-efficient offices, depots, schools or hospitals and turning out their lights.
Carbon offsetting is a controversial area. We are exploring the viability of a local carbon offsetting or ‘green fund’ scheme that could generate funds from local residents and businesses to support schemes that reduce carbon emissions within Suffolk. This would mean that benefits would be felt locally and profits from local people would fund local projects. More news on this study will be announced in due course.
We want to see Suffolk recognised as a leader within the UK and within Europe. Delivering the goal of the Greenest County will pave the way for others to follow in creating a genuinely sustainable Europe. Working in partnership with leaders from across the UK and beyond will allow us to spread the message as widely as possible, maximise the benefits to Suffolk, and learn from their experience.
ANSWER (A North Sea Way to Energy-Efficient Regions) is an exciting new project bringing together some of the European leaders in building a low-carbon, sustainable future for our regions.
New booklets have been produced entitled 'What is the Climate Challenge for West Suffolk?', which provide local businesses and householders with a clear explanation of what climate change is and how it will effect the region.