Green pledge for a better environment

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The Council is to launch a 'green pledge' scheme which will help local residents and businesses to reduce the environmental impact of their actions.

The commitment will take the form of a series of practical steps and include measures to cut energy and water use, minimise waste and increase recycling.

Participants will also be encouraged to consider how they can reduce emissions by walking or cycling more and making better use of public transport.

Many of the measures will lead to lower household spending and savings in running costs for businesses.

The council will promote the scheme heavily throughout 2007 with regular reports on progress and special 'green champion' awards for individuals and groups who are doing their bit for the environment.

Executive member for environment Malcolm Grimston said:

"Sometimes people can be intimidated by the scale of the environmental challenge. The green pledge scheme will show how with just minor changes to our daily routines we can all make a difference.

"For example if 100 families promised to recycle all their glass jars and bottles in a year it could saver enough energy to run a washing machine for 6,000 hours!

"For businesses it could mean promising to keep the area outside their premises clean and free of litter. This will be welcomed by customers while the energy-saving measures will have an immediate payback in terms of reduced outgoings.

"The whole approach will be collaborative with participants sharing their experiences and through their successes helping to motivate others. For those who are already committed it will encourage them to do more. For others who have so far missed out on the environmental message it will help them to get started.

"We all have an interest in protecting our environment. The council's job is to ensure that people know what action they can take and the help that is available to them."

The green champions' awards follow the success of the Green Guardian initiative launched during 2006 by the South London Guardian series of newspapers. The competition will now become an integral feature of the new Wandsworth initiative which will encourage involvement throughout the community.

The council will continue to report on its own progress in improving its environmental performance. Councillors were told this week that carbon emissions from council buildings had fallen by 22 per cent since 1990. The council has now set a new target of 25 per cent by 2010. Energy consumption has been cut by 5 per cent since 2000 and is on course for a 10 per cent fall by 2010.

The green pledge scheme will be formally launched in the Spring. It will include a website, starter packs for participants and be supported by regular series of events throughout the year.

January 4, 2007