Councillors make planet pledges for Great Big Green Week
Hart District councillors and staff are demonstrating their commitment to fighting Climate Change by making planet pledges for Great Big Green Week. All pledges will reduce their carbon footprints and it is hoped they will inspire Hart residents to make their own planet pledges.
Over 50 pledges have been made by Hart District Councillors and the following are a small selection:
· “I will turn down my thermostat by 3°C during the autumn and winter months”
· “I pledge that within six months I will have insulated my loft”
· “I pledge to get solar panels installed, as well as replacing the old original single-glazed windows for much more thermally efficient windows”
· “My pledge is to continue walking as part of my commute and reduce my car journeys further this year by walking and cycling”
· “I pledge to reduce meat from my diet with a least two meat-free days a week”
Residents will have an opportunity to make their own planet pledge at the Eco Fair on Saturday 1 October at the Hart Shopping Centre 10am-2pm. The Eco Fair is a free family event with lots of free activities, eco-crafts, wildlife, and information. Pledges will be hung on the Hart pledge tree, which will be later planted in the district as symbol of our commitment to climate change.
The Great Big Green Week is a national celebration of action on Climate Change, taking place across the UK from 24 September to 2 October. Hart District Council has been taking part in events this week to engage residents in climate change.
Councillor David Neighbour, Leader of Hart District Council, said: “Climate Change is one thing that unites us, so this is a great initiative to get us all demonstrating our individual commitment. I personally have pledged to continue to use low emission travel whenever I can and read three climate related books in the next year.”
The pledges demonstrate the Council’s ongoing commitment to tackle climate change, having declared a climate emergency. The Council is currently in the process of updating its own action plans, having commissioned independent consultants to prepare a report on the actions that the Council will need to take to achieve their carbon emission targets.