NOTTS SO HOT

Graham Allen, MP for Nottingham North, said today: “. The UK Climate Projections 2009 show that even with low carbon emissions, we will still have to adapt to hotter, drier summers and warmer, wetter winters, as well as increasingly frequent extreme weather. This has to be tied into local action. Thats why I’ve written to my colleague Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to ask that he works closely with Nottingham. The government has now announced a “five point plan” for tackling climate change. This includes plans to improve flood protection, vital for the Trent flood plain, as anyone affected by the 2007 floods will agree. The plan also announces the introduction of “Adaptation Plans” by April 2010, which will help public service providers factor climate change into their decision-making.

Nottingham led the way in recognising the vital role of local authorities in leading the way towards an effective response to climate change. The 2000 “Nottingham Declaration” has now been signed by over 300 local councils. Aiming to become one of the UK’s first “Low-Carbon Cities”, Nottingham welcomed the 2007 launch of the Nottingham Carbon Club, which exists to encourage local businesses to meet the city’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions. Our commitment to the cause has been furthered in recent years, for instance in the local strategic partnership’s adoption in 2008 of two “performance indicators” on reducing carbon dioxide emissions and on planning to adapt to climate change.

I will continue to work hard with Nottingham’s public services to encourage an effective, unified local response to climate change, especially in light of the timely announcements made by Mr Benn in Parliament this week.”