Why sign?

Over 300 English local authorities of all political persuasions have signed the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change. Isn't it time that your local authority did the same?

By signing the Nottingham Declaration your council makes a commitment to systematically address the causes of climate change and to prepare for its impacts. Although your council is probably already doing many things to tackle climate change, signing is:-

• A public commitment to take action
• A means of kick-starting a more systematic response

The Challenge of Climate Change

There is now consensus among the international community that the world is warming and that this is mainly the result of human activities. The evidence for climate change is compelling and there is overwhelming agreement among scientists that human activity is the cause. There is a growing understanding of how the impacts will vary across the world. The UK Climate is expected to become warmer, with wetter winters, drier summers, and more extreme weather events, such as heavy rain and high winds.(To find out more see The Challenge of Climate Change.)

What can you do?

As a community leader your council has a central role in leading society's response to the challenge of climate change by:

• Helping communities to become resilient to more extreme weather events (adaptation)
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its own buildings, services and the community (mitigation)

Click on the links below to read some inspiring examples of local authority action on climate change in their roles as:

• Estate manager
• Service providerand
• Community leader

Five reasons to sign the Declaration:

1. Reassure your residents that you are taking climate change seriously. A recent survey by the Local Government Association found that 76% of adults think councils have a key role to play in tackling climate change and 70% said that climate change should be a top priority for their council. Almost three quarters of all signatories have publicised their decision to sign in their local press.

2. Strengthen your council's response. A survey of local authorities that have signed the Nottingham Declaration revealed that signing is a catalyst for action. 80% said that signing helped build member and senior officer momentum within the council.

3. Perform well. From 2009 the new local performance framework will encompass climate change. Three national performance indicators and the new Comprehensive Area Assessments will assess how well local authorities are preparing for climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Save money and attract new resources. There are many examples of local authorities that have made significant savings by introducing sustainable energy measures and there are a range of available to local authorities that are planning climate change and energy initiatives resources.

5. Improve the quality of life of local people. Preparing for the impacts of climate change (adaptation) will help to protect your communities from the worst effects of severe weather events, such as flooding, storms, high winds and heat waves.Action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation) can bring other benefits to the local community, such as: lower fuel bills; improved housing stock; reduced business costs; more competitive businesses; improved public transport; better cycling and walking facilities; and improved air quality.

90% of Nottingham Declaration signatories say they would recommend signing to other councils and none advise against.

Isn't it time that you joined them?