Our Climate Strategy – take part and have your say

Every resident and business in Bury is being invited to play their part in making the Bury Climate Strategy a success.

Consultation has now started on comprehensive, long-lasting and ambitious plans to make Bury carbon neutral and tackle climate change.

The strategy sets out the scale of the challenge, with a list of actions to be taken across all aspects of daily life.

All the plans, and details on how to have your say, are on the council’s website at https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=16255. The deadline for responses is 12 August.

Councillor Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment and climate change, said: “Climate change is a long-lasting and universal problem that will affect everyone, and those most affected will be our most vulnerable residents. It will be our young people who will have to deal with our legacy and we owe it to them to take the drastic action required now.

“This fluid strategy and accompanying action plan lay out the extent of the challenge ahead and the big changes needed to tackle it. One thing is certain – the council can’t work on this alone. We need much more funding from government and we will need to work closely with our residents, businesses and other public sector organisations if we are to be effective. We need everyone to play their part and this Strategy and Action Plan will be the first step.

“From here we will work with the communities in each of our neighbourhoods and townships to ensure the Action Plan is implemented and we progress towards our 2038 target.”

The strategy breaks down the actions needed into 11 key areas:

1. Our energy supply

2. Our homes, workplaces and public buildings

3. Low-carbon travel

4. The things we buy and throw away

5. Food

6. Our natural environment

7. The green economy

8. Environmental justice

9. Climate resilience and adaptation

10. Putting climate change at the heart of council action

11. Carbon offsetting

Cllr Quinn added: “The cost of not doing enough is high, but the challenge we face also brings a huge opportunity to improve our health, our environment and our economy via high skilled, well paid green jobs. We know that the people and businesses of Bury have the spirit and determination to face this challenge head on, and that by working together we can achieve the level of change we need to protect our future.

“I urge everyone to get on board, read the strategy and action plan, and give us their views before the 12 August deadline.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 7 June 2021.