Environment and sustainable development
About this service
The Council recognises that protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development within Wiltshire is a key priority. The Local Government Act 2000 confers upon the Council the power to promote the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the area that it serves. Accordingly the Council considers the environmental impacts of its actions and of the services it provides.
Sustainable development is development which actively promotes a good quality of life for present and future generations where society is vibrant, healthy and just, and environmental systems are protected.
In March 2005 the UK government published ‘Securing the Future’ a sustainable development strategy and action plan with four shared priorities for central and local government:
- Sustainable consumption and production
- Climate change and energy
- Natural resource protection and environmental enhancement
- Sustainable communities
Members of the Council have agreed that one of the broad strategic goals of the organisation should be “to balance the need for growth with the protection of the environment”. The Wiltshire Local Area Agreement signed in 2007 has a separate environment ‘block’ with actions on Waste, Energy and Biodiversity.
Managers and staff are asked to consider environmental impacts and sustainable development as part of their service planning process.
Sustainable procurement
Work is currently underway to improve the way environmental and sustainability considerations are included in our procurement and contract management process.
Climate change and carbon management
The scientific evidence is growing that man-made greenhouse gas emissions are having a noticeable effect on the earth's climate. Globally, the 10 hottest years on record have all occurred since the beginning of the 1990s. Current climate models predict that global temperatures could warm from between 1.4 to 5.8 degrees Celcius over the next 100 years. The effects of a changing climate can already be seen. Temperatures and sea levels are rising, ice and snow cover are declining, and the consequences could be very significant for the natural world and society. Scientific evidence points to the release of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, into the atmosphere by human activity as the primary cause of climatic change.
For more information on climate change see Defra - Climate Change.
To find out how climate change will affect the South West see the South West Climate Change Impacts Partnership.
If you are concerned about climate change you might like to visit ‘Fair Shares, Fair Choice’, a Defra sponsored carbon reduction project for the South West (22 March 2007 launch). It offers a choice of virtual ‘carbon coaches’, characters who offer businesses, organisations and individuals help and support in creating their own beneficial carbon action plans. Fair Shares, Fair Choice shows you what choices you can make to live and work within your own fair carbon budget.
If you are buying a new car you can compare vehicle fuel efficiency and find out about carbon emissions at Act on CO2. This site also gives tips on greener driving to help you save fuel and money.
If you are concerned about your Carbon Footprint and are interested in off-setting your emissions by giving to charity or investing in carbon replacement projects visit DEFRA carbon offsetting information.
The Council is working towards reducing carbon emissions from its own activities.
Supporting sustainable communities in Wiltshire
Wiltshire ‘World Changers’ is co-ordinated by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and funded by the Wiltshire Council and Swindon Bourough Council. Wiltshire ‘World Changers’ is about people and the environment and sets out to raise awareness and co-ordinate best practice between Wiltshire people and communities, in working towards sustainable development.
If you are interested in sustainable development initiatives in your area have a look at the Wiltshire 'Green Map'. You can search for farmers markets, fairtrade providers and community groups working on climate change projects etc.
For more information on how people in Wiltshire are supporting sustainable development visit the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.
Contact Details
Email: ClimateChange@wiltshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01225 713220
Fax: 01225 713437
Postal Address:
Climate Change Team
Economic Development Planning &Housing
Wiltshire
Council
County
Hall
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14
8JN
Last updated: 27 November 2009