Climate Emergency And The Environment

In February 2019, Wiltshire Council acknowledged the climate emergency and resolved to seek to make the county of Wiltshire carbon neutral by 2030. It also committed to make the Council itself carbon neutral by 2030.

We fully support these objectives and will work hard to implement solutions to make these commitments a reality. This is not a political choice: this is a necessity. The scale and urgency of the problem, supported by extensive scientific evidence, requires decisive and consistent action by government, local authorities and other governmental agencies, utilities, businesses, communities and, indeed, us all as individuals.

Fortunately, many of the solutions will make our county a better place to live. Investment in the green economy will create jobs and provide new opportunities for people. Alternatives to fossil fuel-based transport will provide people with more choice and improve air quality, leading to better health. Energy conservation and green energy will help to lift people out of fuel poverty. Encouraging cycling and walking will improve the health of residents. Planting new woodlands will improve biodiversity and improve the amenity value of open spaces.

Labour will:

Provide the leadership and support that the county needs to reduce carbon emissions in the county to meet the 2030 target.
Actively support the development of renewable energy in the county.
Establish an accessible framework to support homeowners with improving the energy efficiency of their properties and with retrofitting green energy installations.
Require all new homes to be zero net carbon.
Develop public transport in Wiltshire so that it provides a real alternative to private car use.
Upgrade the Council’s transport fleet to electric vehicles and establish a county network of EV charging points.
Invest in developing the network of cycle routes within the county.
Set and achieve ambitious targets for waste recycling and landfill reduction.
Put in place a strategy to reduce food miles and support local producers.
Improve the biodiversity of Wiltshire.

Read all of Part 2

Climate Emergency And The Environment

Labour will:

Provide the leadership and support that the county needs to reduce carbon emissions in the county to meet the 2030 target.

Actively support the development of renewable energy in the county.

Establish an accessible framework to support homeowners with improving the energy efficiency of their properties and with retrofitting green energy installations.

Require all new homes to be zero net carbon.

Develop public transport in Wiltshire so that it provides a real alternative to private car use.

Upgrade the Council’s transport fleet to electric vehicles and establish a county network of EV charging points.

Invest in developing the network of cycle routes within the county.

Set and achieve ambitious targets for waste recycling and landfill reduction.

Put in place a strategy to reduce food miles and support local producers.

Improve the biodiversity of Wiltshire.