Green way forward for Fylde

10:23am Wednesday 20th August 2008

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Fylde Borough Council has become the latest authority to show its commitment to climate change after signing a declaration pledging to tackle the issue.

By signing the Nottingham Declaration the council has agreed to develop plans with partners and local communities over the next two years to address the causes and impacts of climate change.

The council will work with the community to reduce energy use and congestion, improve the environment and tackle local fuel poverty.

Councillor John Coombes, leader of Fylde Borough Council, said: “Climate change as a whole is a serious issue and with the varied environments around Fylde, both rural and coastal, it will be a challenging issue to tackle, but one we are committed to facing as this declaration shows.”

More than 200 councils nationwide have signed up to the declaration, pledging to actively tackle climate change in their area and help the UK deliver its national climate change targets.

Working with Fylde Low Waste and Energy (FLoWE), the council has already taken several steps to ensure it is environmentally friendly.

The town hall uses only green energy thanks to a deal with the Office of Government Commerce, which means energy supplied to the building comes from renewable sources at no extra cost. The council also works with the Energy Saving Trust to work towards reducing carbon emissions.

Andrew Loynd, project manager of FLoWE said: “The council will be able to demonstrate to businesses and householders across Fylde how making some fairly simple changes can reduce energy use, save money, lower emissions and help the environment.”

FLoWE will also be out and about on the Fylde Information Bus every Wednesday in August and September giving out free energy saving lightbulbs and answering any questions residents and businesses may have.