|
Leeds needs to Get Serious - The next dozen years are crucial if we are to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The latest science indicates that we must cut out emissions by at least 40% by 2020 to avoid dangerous climate change. With every year we delay the cuts required will have to be more severe and harder to implement. It's time to Walk the Talk.
We are all being encouraged to go-green; reduce our carbon footprint, cut down on waste and save power, but if we are going to make these changes shouldn't the council be leading the way?
After all they are responsible for spending our money, which we have paid them in council tax.
This is where the changes should start.
The Target- Leeds City Council
The Council need to take a more active role in tackling climate change. Many of the solutions need to be developed at a local level, we need action on insulation, transport, businesses and energy production.There are examples of councils that have undertaken significant transformations to low carbon economies, they have seen the future and acted boldly from their own commitment to make a change.Leeds has not shown such leadership, although it is adopting targets suggested by central goverment there is little evidence of a change of heart, where Leeds as a strong dynamic regional capital,should be setting an example. Lets be clear the adoption of a low carbon economy is not a choice, it is an imperitive. The only question is does Leeds have the vision to become an early adopter and benefit from the industrial and economic advantages of new technologies, or will we be greening our cities with products manufactured in Europe?
Aims
6 Actions for Leeds.
1. Improve home Insulation.
Provide incentives for insulation across the board from poorly insulated social housing to low income private homes. Show how hard to insulate homes such as Victoria terraces can be insulated. Fund examples of treated homes to inspire individuals to take action.
2. Reduce Traffic levels.
Incentivise reduced car use by improving public transport and prioritizing communities over traffic. Leeds has few pedestrian walkways or cycle routes that do not run alongside busy routes. There is a general lack of commitment to reducing car use.
3. Encouraging a shift to low carbon vehicles.
Diesel buses pumping out fumes, refuse trucks circling the streets, these vehicles should be phased out for clean burn technologies and renewable power alternatives. The council should start with it's own fleet of vehicles. Dirty buses should be banned.
4. Encourage renewable energy through planning policies.
Many planning decisions are based on local, short-term considerations, the larger picture of climate change gets lost in the detail. The net result is a city that has not risen to the challenge of climate change.
5.Set up Energy Service Compaines to encourage low carbon energy such as combined heat and power.
Leeds has plans for a CHP circuit in the city centre, this would be an excellent step, but it need to be spread to other areas of Leeds so industrial design and urban planning are integrated in a coherent manner. Long term benefits for the city should outway short-term gains for private enterprise.
6. Renewable energy to homes.
The Prize
Leeds can become a national Leader in Climate change adaptation, a Sustainable city that attracts and retains talent because of it's high quality environment. A city that has risen from the ashes of the industrial past to embrace the new technologies of the future, a city that exports technical experts and the latest designs for sustainable living.
|
|
Home >
Get Serious Leeds |