East & South Cambs Councils Shamed by Carbon Footprint Figures (South East Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats)

South East Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats <info@secambslibdems.org.uk>

East & South Cambs Councils Shamed by Carbon Footprint Figures

December 12, 2007 7:08 PM

Liberal Democrats are calling on East and South Cambridgeshire District Councils to better encourage people to cut their carbon footprints following the publication of Carbon Oxide emission tables showing they continue to lag behind other councils.

New Governments figures show that in 2005 12.3 tonnes of CO2 were emitted for each person in East Cambs, while in South Cambs the amount was a staggering 14.9 tonnes - the biggest of all the district councils in the East of England.

This compares to a national average of 9.3 tonnes and an East of England average of 8.7 tonnes.

By contrast, Lib Dem controlled Cambridge City achieved an average 7.2 tonnes of CO2 per person, bettering the national and regional figures, and was half that achieved by South Cambs.

So serious is the situation in the Tory dominated region, GO-East the Government's regional HQ has organised a series of green workshops in Bury St Edmunds and Bishop's Stortford, to help local councils define their role and powers in cutting their carbon footprint.

Councils are to be taught about engaging with their local communities through activities such as local area agreements and how their bit can help affect climate change on a global scale.

Jonathan Chatfield the Lib Dems' parliamentary spokesperson for South East Cambridgeshire said:

"Once again the truth shows that behind the green façade of David Cameron Tory controlled councils lag behind in the fight against climate change.

"While they try to get away with doing the minimum the Government forces them to do in terms of building design and other green measures, Cambridge City has taken on the Government to do more, by wanting much tougher planning controls to make homes more energy efficient.

"The City's lead in this is plain to see and the councils of East and South Cambs would do well to follow it."