A picturesque village in East Suffolk
East Suffolk Council has voted unanimously to step up its positive work on environmental issues to help fight climate change.
At its Full Council meeting on Wednesday 24 July, the Council recognised there was a good record of taking action on environmental issues across east Suffolk.
However, it has joined other local authorities in recognising the fact there is a climate emergency – and committed itself to doing more to reduce its own carbon emissions and to encourage communities to help fight climate change.
The motion was tabled by Cllr Rachel Smith-Lyte, Ward Councillor for Melton.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr James Mallinder, East Suffolk’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Environment, said:
“Although East Suffolk is a new Council, we do have a good record in this area, under the auspices of Suffolk Coastal and Waveney District Councils, of working with our communities to fight pollution, cut waste and reduce our carbon footprints.
However, this motion recognises the fact that we are facing an extraordinary problem and need to step up a gear to make sure we play our part in the global fight against climate change.
East Suffolk Council cannot solve this issue ourselves, but we can be part of the solution. We can also help create the right environment for this work to be carried out, by working with our partners and also encouraging people in our communities across East Suffolk to do their bit to help in this battle.
I believe this is somewhere where small changes can make big differences. If all our communities - individuals, businesses and town and parish councils - join with us in making these changes, we can make a massive impact on our fragile environment.
Taking positive action on environmental issues is not just about the plants and grass outside, it is about what we do in our homes and how our businesses work to reduce waste and pollution. We need to take a practical, common-sense approach to this issue and build it into our Business Plan for the future, so it becomes part of our core business at the Council.”
“This Council pledges to: