Environment and roads

What we are doing about climate change

The county council is committed to tackling climate change, in particular through reductions in carbon dioxide emissions and via a range of programmes that improve energy efficiency and increase public awareness of the issue. We are also equally concerned with the potential impacts of climate change and how Hertfordshire can respond to them.

The county council believes it should act responsibly, and work with other local and national organisations to lower carbon dioxide emissions and adapt to possible climate change impacts.

In February 2007, Hertfordshire County Council signed the Nottingham Declaration - acknowledging that climate change is happening, that it will have far-reaching effects in the UK and committing the county council to take action.

Climate change is a big problem, so what can the county council actually do? Well, we can start by reducing our own carbon dioxide emissions. We are currently examining our services to see how we can improve their environmental impact, while maintaining current service levels – improving energy efficiency will be our main focus. We will be launching our climate change strategy in March next year, this will identify key actions to be taken by the county council in order to reduce emissions under our direct control. We will also be considering the impacts of climate change in Hertfordshire, how these will affect our services and residents, and how we can prepare for these – watch this space.

However, we know that by working in partnership, we can achieve much more. For example, alongside St Albans District Council, we joined the Local Authority Carbon Management Programme. This is helping us to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across our services, properties, vehicle fleets, street lighting and schools.