Essex County Council (ECC) has committed to meet several targets as part of a concerted effort to reduce carbon emissions and promote long term sustainability within the county. Climate change has the potential to seriously impact on the lives of Essex residents, and through a community carbon reduction programme, a commitment to recycling, and a programme of adapting to climate change the council hopes to place the county on a more sustainable footing.

 

In pursuit of these goals, the following measures have been adopted as part of The Essex Local Area Agreement 2008-2011 (LAA), a published list of performance targets that the council believes must be delivered upon in order to improve the quality of life of the residents of the county. By 2011, ECC seeks to meet or exceed the measurable goals set in 2008 in the following areas. The commitments are categorised by their National Indicator (NI) or Local Indicator (LI) code. 

ECC is committed to reducing the county’s carbon footprint by set amounts over the course of the LAA through the promotion of energy efficiency measures. (NI 186)

 

Over the timeframe of the agreement Essex County Council will create comprehensive local action plans, by identifying major weather and climate vulnerabilities and opportunities and working to assess and manage those risks presented by them. (NI 188)

 

By 2011 Essex County Council, together with district and borough councils, will seek to reduce the amount of household waste sent to landfill through minimising waste and maximising reuse, recycling and composting to deliver environmental and economic benefits. (NI 191)

 

The council is committed to increasing the percentage of waste from households that is recycled, reused and composted during the period covered by the LAA. (NI 192)

 

Essex County Council, working with district and borough councils, will seek to reduce the amount of litter and detritus in areas across the county in order to improve the quality of life in those areas. (NI 195)

 

Essex County Council recognises the importance of biodiversity in local environments. ECC recognises the importance of actively managing Local Wildlife Sites in order to ensure that the sites support a diverse range of plants and animals. This indicator commits the council to increasing the proportion of actively managed Local Wildlife Sites within the county. (NI 197)

 

This local indicator recognises the importance of establishing areas of quality countryside across the county that support wildlife, reflect the history and culture of the area and provide social and economic benefits for residents. These areas, which ECC commits to improving and promoting, attract visitors and improve the quality of life of local people. (LI 10.1)

 

Further information can be obtained from the LAA document.