It is the intention of Cumbria County Council to play a key role in meeting the local targets for a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions as well as helping the county to plan and respond to the impacts of climate change.  It is now well established that we are already ‘locked in’ to experiencing some of the consequences of the increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

On April 22 2009, the Government announced a legally binding target of 34% reduction in C02 emissions by 2020 in alignment with an 80% reduction by 2050.  This will have enormous impact on Cumbria as a whole particularly when interim targets are set. 

Cumbria County Council is taking action on many fronts.  Internally, it has committed to reducing its CO2 emissions by 25% by 2012 against a 2007 baseline (see Carbon Reduction and Green Action at Work initiatives).  Externally, the Sustainability Manager and Climate Change Officer convene and lead Cumbria Strategic Partnership’s Climate Change Task Group, a partnership of public, private and third sector representatives which co-ordinate support for climate change activity across the County.

The Sustainability Team has been responsible for developing the Cumbria Climate Change Strategy and Cumbria Climate Change Action Plan (2009-2014) with the support of the CSP Task Group.  This has been informed by a number of reports (links below).  On March 16th 2009, member organisations of the CSP committed their organisations to cutting CO2 by 25% by 2014 and to carrying out a series of actions that aim to create a climate proofed, resilient, sustainable Cumbria. 

• Cumbria Climate Change Action Plan 2009-2014
• Cumbria Climate Change Strategy 2008-2012
• NI186 - Delivery Plan for Climate Change
• Low-Carbon Lake District
• The Stern Report - The Economic Implications of Climate Change Legislation for Cumbria 

• Communications and Engagement Fund 

For more information on responding to Climate Change in Cumbria County Council, please contact Phil Davies, Climate Change Officer via email phil.r.davies@cumbriacc.gov.uk or telephone 01228 221032.