In recent decades, we have become more aware of increasing damage to the environment and a widening global gap between the rich and the poor. There is a growing realisation that the way we develop is not sustainable. In other words, we are living beyond our means. From the loss of biodiversity with the felling of rainforests or over fishing to the negative effect our consumption patterns are having on the environment and the climate, our way of life is placing an increasing burden on the planet. The increasing stress we put on resources and environmental systems such as water, land and air cannot go on forever.
We need to find a way to improve our quality of life while living within our environmental limits and ensuring a fair society. This is Sustainable Development and its goal is to enable all people throughout the world to satisfy their basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life, without compromising the quality of life of future generations.
We need to make a decisive move toward more sustainable development. Not just because it is the right thing to do, but also because it is in our own long-term best interests. It offers the best hope for the future. Whether at school, in the home or at work, we all have a part to play. Our small everyday actions add up to make a big difference.
Bolton Council is already committed to reducing emissions by buying its electricity from a green tariff, reducing the environmental impact of council vehicles and making energy efficiency measures. The council’s Environment Strategy aims to tackle many issues aimed at safeguarding the environment, whether this is action on climate change, environmental education, local nature conservation or sustainable purchasing. Most recently it officially committed to reducing carbon emissions with the launch of a Carbon Management Plan in June 2009. The plan sets the authority a tough target of reducing their CO2 emissions by a third by December 2013.
With the support and guidance of the Carbon Trust and the council’s continued strong relationships with local partners, stakeholders and customers, the council will be improving its operations, functions and practices to ensure that they are taking responsibility and contributing to a cleaner and greener Bolton. Key improvements to help reduce carbon emissions include reducing carbon emissions from buildings and street lighting by introducing the use of renewable energy resources and the reduction of emissions from their vehicle fleet by reducing miles travelled.
The council has already made some key improvements, including the installation of Photovoltaics (solar) systems at The Valley School in Astley Bridge, Queensbridge School in Farnworth, Ucan Centre in Halliwell and Cherry Tree School, Farnworth; the installation of devices which automatically turn off equipment which is not in use and the upgrading of transformers in key buildings equating to £600 saving per week; the installation of voltage optimisation equipment in buildings within the town centre which has reduced electricity consumption and made savings of £2,000 per week; installing a ground source heat pump at Leverhulme Community Sports Club and waterless urinals in a number of the council’s offices.
Staff have been encouraged to do their bit to save energy and costs and reduce their impact on Bolton’s environment – by turning off all equipment instead of leaving on standby and even using the stairs instead of the lift. An army of green champions, made up of staff who are particularly keen to be green and encourage their colleagues to keep doing their bit, is also being put in place.
Bolton Council in conjunction with Groundwork held a Community Climate Change conference on the 20th October to raise awareness of the impacts of climate change at a global and local level. A range of topics and presentations were covered by the following organisations:
Weather & Climate Change by the Meteorological Office;
Climate Change: The Impact on Flood Risk by the Environment Agency;
Creating a Sustainable Bolton by Bolton Council; and
Greater Manchester (GM) Private Finance Initiative Project and the Wider Context by GM Waste Disposal Authority
Copies of these presentations can be accessed through the downloadable PDF file on the right hand side of the page.