1 November 2009

Actions to Tackle Climate Change in Cheshire and Warrington

A new Action Plan has been published that identifies 30 actions that that could create or safeguard over 1100 jobs and will help to move Cheshire and Warrington to a low carbon economy.

The actions include:

• Developing local skills in auditing and installation of energy efficiency measures and microgeneration;
• Improving levels of energy efficiency in public sector buildings;
• Ensuring public sector procurement policies take account of climate change and local sourcing where possible;
• Investigating improved transport links between transport hubs and tourist attractions;
• Establishing sources and quantities of biomass waste available from local forestry, farming and local authority operations and investigating the potential for anaerobic digestion systems on farms;
• Enabling more businesses to access resource efficiency support from Groundwork Cheshire (funded by ENWORKS).
• Supporting low carbon communities to take local action and spread the message more widely.

Lead organisations have also been identified to ensure actions are delivered.

Produced by the Cheshire & Warrington Economic Alliance (CWEA) working closely with the Cheshire and Warrington Climate Change Group and a network of private, public and community sector organisations, the Action Plan follows an earlier report commissioned by CWEA - ‘The Economic Impacts of Climate Change in Cheshire and Warrington’. This report identified areas of economic opportunity around Climate Change, produced carbon footprints for the three local authorities and prioritised what the focus for Climate Change activity in the sub region should be.

Kate Radford, Climate Change Programme Manager at CWEA, said:

“Climate Change is a very broad topic covering energy, water, waste and transport issues as well as how we adapt to future changes in our climate. This Action Plan will give us a focus for our activities and we look forward to continued working with our partners on projects that deliver the Plan. If your company, community or organisation would like to be involved please get in touch.”

Mark Hughes, Executive Director of Economic Development, Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) said:

“At the heart of the NWDA’s work is the ambition to achieve stable economic conditions for the Northwest, while at the same time minimizing the dangers associated with Climate Change. The Cheshire and Warrington Climate Change Action Plan is a prime example of how the region is responding to this threat, focusing on adaptation and mitigation.”

The Climate Change Programme in Cheshire and Warrington is funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) to help meet the objectives of the Northwest Climate Change Action Plan.

The Action Plan and earlier report are available to download in the publications section of this website.

For further information contact:
Tina Johnston, External Relations Manager
Cheshire & Warrington Economic Alliance
Tel: 01606 734187; Email: Tina.Johnston@cwea.org.uk

NOTES

Cheshire & Warrington Economic Alliance
Cheshire & Warrington Economic Alliance is funded predominantly by the Northwest Regional Development Agency. CWEA brings together leaders and influencers from both the public and private sector to work in partnership on a wide range of economic development issues in the sub region to ensure a dynamic, high quality environment for both business and residents. Visit www.cwea.org.uk.

Northwest Regional Development Agency
The NWDA leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life.
For further information visit: www.nwda.co.uk, www.englandsnorthwest.com