County plans consultation on climate change

Members of the public can have their say on plans by Denbighshire County Council to tackle climate and ecological change.

Last year the council declared a climate change and ecological emergency which included a commitment to make the authority net carbon zero by 2030, enhance biodiversity across the county and call on the Welsh and UK governments to provide assistance and resources to enable the council to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

A public engagement event was held earlier this year asking for the public’s views and now they can have their say on the council’s draft Climate and Ecological Change Strategy which covers the years 2021/22 – 2029/30.

Cllr Graham Timms, the council’s Climate Change and Ecological Emergency Working Group chair, said: “This is a draft document for our strategy and we want members of the public to read it and let us know what they think.

“The document explains what we mean by the goals net carbon zero and ecologically positive council, how the council is currently performing on both, what we hope 2030 will look like for the council having achieved our goals and the changes and actions we hope to deliver over the next nine years.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved and help contribute.”

The council is holding an online public meeting on November 23 at 6.30pm for people to have the chance to learn more about the strategy and to provide verbal feedback and ask any questions.

Members of the public can also complete an online survey to give their feedback between November 13 and December 7.

Cllr Brian Jones the council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “We are encouraging people to have their say on this document by completing the online survey and by attending the meeting and giving their views.

“Protecting the environment is a priority for the council and we are committed to continuing to reduce our carbon footprint and increasing biodiversity.

“We have already achieved a lot, we have reduced carbon emissions from our buildings and fleet by 15 per cent since 2017, the council now only uses renewable electricity for its own buildings after switching to a renewable only energy provider for its schools, leisure centres, libraries, council offices and depots and we are over halfway to reaching our target of planting 18,000 trees by 2022.”

* Applications to attend the public meeting close at midday on Friday, November 20, and you can sign up and take part in the online consultation at https://countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk/project/560