Tackling climate change in Surrey

Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning Mike Goodman.

Residents can now share their views on how Surrey County Council can take action to tackle climate change in the county.

The council wants to know what local communities are already doing to reduce their environmental impact, or what would encourage other people to change their behaviour at home and work. Local environmental groups, professionals, academics and other experts can also share their thoughts and expertise.

There is an opportunity as well to give suggestions on what the county council can do to go zero carbon.

The council declared a climate emergency in July and committed to meet the national objective of being carbon neutral by 2050.

As a result, a task group has been created which will review all the views which have been shared. Some respondents may be asked to come and give evidence in person this autumn as the task group considers what it will recommend to the council later this year. This will form the basis of a long-term climate change strategy for the county.

Andy MacLeod, chairman of the task group, said: “This is a real opportunity to influence how all of us who live or work in Surrey can do our bit locally and contribute to efforts globally to tackle climate change. That’s why we want to hear both people’s personal views and expert opinion from right across the county.”

Mike Goodman, Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste, said: “If we want to be the first generation who leaves the planet in a better condition than we inherited it, then there’s a responsibility on us all to do our bit. By working together, we can ensure that we in Surrey are doing our fair share to help the environment.”

The task group is part of the Surrey’s Greener Future programme, which also includes an upcoming challenge where residents and community groups will be asked to suggest ideas to improve the environment in their areas.

To reply to the task group’s call for evidence before 15 September 2019, and to find out more about Surrey’s Greener Future, visit surreycc.gov.uk/greenerfuture.