People across Cumbria are being asked for their views on climate change and how it might affect the county.
The Cumbria Strategic Partnership (CSP) is developing a Cumbria Climate Change Strategy and action plan designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the county and to help people, organisations and industry adapt to the effects of climate change in the future. This consultation gives people the chance to influence that strategy.
The CSP is made up of Cumbria’s key organisations from the public, private and voluntary sectors. When the final Climate Change Strategy and action plan is adopted, it will guide policy and action by CSP members on managing climate change impacts and on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The 39-page document discusses four different climate change scenarios based on different levels of greenhouse gas emissions and assesses the possible impacts of changes on the region for issues like, business, fuel, flooding, human and animal health and so on.
It also suggests what actions individuals and organisations might need to take to reduce the impact of human activity on the climate and how life might need to change in the event of climate change.
The draft strategy breaks into nine key sections covering likely climate change impacts on different areas of activity in Cumbria. Draft recommendations are made in each area.
Special web pages to give everyone the chance to have their say have been set up at http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/consultation/climatechange/
The web pages contain a downloadable version of the draft strategy as well as links to lots of background information and evidence.
They also feature a discussion forum and a special short survey for people who want to have a say, but don’t have the time to read and comment on the whole strategy document.
The CSP is interested in all views on the content of the draft strategy, its analysis of the situation, on how Cumbria is likely to be affected and on the relevance and suitability of the actions proposed. The consultation closes on March 10 2008.
Bill Lowther, Chairman of Cumbria Strategic Partnership, said: "A Cumbrian strategy will need to help deliver national targets on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It will also need to identify how climate change will affect Cumbria and provide guidance on adapting lifestyles and infrastructure, protecting assets and ensuring continued delivery of key services.
"No attempt has been made to produce a glossy document at this stage. The draft strategy is very much a ‘work in progress’ and it is open to CSP member organisations, industry and commerce, the community sector and, of course, the people of Cumbria to shape and influence its direction."
ENDS
Media enquiries to Justin Hawkins, Media Officer on 01228 606334
Notes
The Cumbria Strategic Partnership (CSP) Climate Change Strategy will support of the North West Climate Change Action Plan called ‘Rising to the Challenge’. The Cumbrian Strategy aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enable people, organisations and industry to adapt to unavoidable impacts of climate change.
A Cumbrian strategy will need to help deliver national targets on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It will also need to identify how climate change will affect Cumbria and provide guidance on adapting lifestyles and infrastructure, protecting assets and ensuring continued delivery of key services.
The final Cumbrian strategy and action plan will guide policy and action by CSP members on managing climate change impacts and on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Cumbria Strategic Partnership (CSP) is the countywide partnership in Cumbria which brings together partners representing the public, private and third sector organisations in Cumbria. Members include Cumbria County Council , the county’s six district councils, Cumbria Vision, Cumbria Constabulary, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service. Cumbria Chamber of Trade and Industry, Invest in Cumbria and other business organisations, Voluntary Action Cumbria, Cumbria NHS Primary Care Trust, North West Development Agency, Countryside Agency, Cumbria Tourism, Environment Agency, Innovia Films, National Farmers Union (NW), Pirelli Tyres Ltd and West Lakes Renaissance.
For more information on the CSP and a full list of members go to visit the Cumbria Strategic Partnership website by following the link below.
Cumbria Strategic Partnership website