Alvechurch Parish Council

ABOUT
The rise in the public consciousness of climate change in 2019 was evidenced by the Collins word of the year, Climate Strike. Figures such as Greta Thunberg and India Logan-Riley have familiarised climate change amongst young people worldwide and drawn attention to the action needed to combat climate change locally and nationally.

NALC responded to this appeal by organising a climate change panel session and declaring a climate emergency at its Annual Conference in October 2019. NALC is proud that many local (parish and town) councils declare a climate emergency and are working to encourage others to do the same.

NALC believes that, collectively, across 10,000 local councils, we can tackle climate change locally and create more climate-friendly communities.

WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE?
Climate change refers to the long-term shift in the Earth’s weather patterns and average temperatures. For the past 250 years, humans have contributed to the increased release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which causes an increase in global temperatures.

Burning fossil fuels, such as coal, produces energy while releasing greenhouse gases. The long-term challenge is addressing this build-up of greenhouse gases and ensuring a clean future for future generations. For example, according to the MET Office, atmospheric carbon dioxide rose by 40% during the 20th and 21st centuries and is now over 400 ppm (parts per million). This level of carbon dioxide is higher than at any time in the past 800,000 years.

ALVECHURCH PARISH COUNCIL
As part of its commitment to tackle Climate Change Alvechurch Parish Council pledges to:

• Develop and promote green transport plans, including safe routes to school
• Ensure that all council buildings are as energy-efficient as possible and that energy is not wasted through unnecessary heating and lighting
• Use green energy sources and environmentally friendly products
• Plan for a green community in our Neighbourhood Plan/Install electric car charging points
• Limit the use of plastics, especially single-use plastics
• Reduce waste and recycle as much as possible
• Protect important ‘open spaces’ and wildlife habitats, create wildflower meadows for pollinators, protect ancient woodland and plant additional trees to reduce carbon footprint
• Maintain our allotments, encouraging/supporting composting initiatives
• Increase Biodiversity/wilding of hedgerows etc
• Change all footway lights to energy efficient and use solar as appropriate