25th September 2006

Photo left: last years climate change march

You report apparent cross-party support for wind-turbines on Shire Hall (21/09/06 Wilts and Glos Standard) - this is to be applauded and could lead the way in encouraging more people to switch to renewable energy. A recent DTI commissioned poll shows 67% are strongly in favour of wind power in the West Country. People know we need to take action to tackle climate change.

It is therefore all the more shocking that Gloucestershire County Council's submission to one of the most important planning documents in the South West fails to even mention climate change as a key issue. The County ignore the Sustainability Assessment of the 'Draft Regional Spatial Strategy' (RSS) that shows this plan will increase climate-changing CO2 emissions in the region over the next 20 years (ii).

We all know that we need to reduce CO2 emissions: indeed there is cross-party agreement for this. So how can the County not condemn this report and call for a radical redrafting? Stroud District Council in contrast, last Thursday, ratified their submission which expressed concern that climate change has not been addressed adequately.

Climate change presents us with a challenge beyond all others. It is unacceptable that our elected politicians fail to question a plan that will lead to greater CO2 emissions. We only have one planet, and we only have one chance. Now more than ever we need all politicians to get serious about climate change: no more spin, no more talk it is time for action.

Cllr. Philip Booth, Gloucestershire Green Party.


Notes:

(i) A DTI commissioned opinion poll shows 94% of people in the West Country support the use of renewable energy, and when asked if they are in favour of wind power the West Country had the highest proportion agreeing strongly with the statement (67%). Respondents were also asked to give a rating of 1-10 where 10 is totally in favour and 1 is totally against using renewable energy as an alternative to fossil fuels. 52% of those based in the West Country gave a 9 0r 10 rating a much higher proportion compared to the UK overall (34%). The poll also shows that 44% of West Country respondents felt local newspaper coverage of renewable energy was favourable over the last 6 months, 22% thought it was neither favourable nor unfavourable and only 13% thought it was unfavourable. To see the full survey go to: <http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file29360.pdf?pubpdfdload=06%2F1256>http://www .dti.gov.uk/files/file29360.pdf?pubpdfdload=06%2F1256

(ii) See Glos Green party website under Reports for a full analysis.