What: Launch of Islington Climate Change Partnership <br>When: 12.30pm-3pm, Monday 5 March 2007<br>Where: Cable & Wireless Room, Sadler's Wells Theatre, Islington.<br><br>You are invited to send a reporter and / or a photographer. If you plan to attend contact the media office on 0207 527 2307.<br><br>Islington is about to set itself an ambitious target for cutting carbon emissions across the borough -- to be unveiled at the launch of Islington's Climate Change Partnership next week (5 March 2007). <br><br>The target -- the first of its kind from any London borough -- represents a joint carbon reduction commitment from private, public and voluntary sector organisations in Islington, all of whom are joining forces to make it happen.<br><br>Islington's Climate Change Partnership -- made up of a range of organisations that play an important role locally, from City University, to Royal Mail and Starbucks -- has been established to help achieve it. <br><br>Chris Huhne MP, Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, will be a guest speaker at next week's launch, alongside Council Leader James Kempton.<br><br>Cllr James Kempton said: "Too many people in Government and the chattering classes are dismissive about local authorities' ability to make a difference. We believe this is a problem we cannot just leave to everyone else to sort out. Everybody, everyday can either make climate change worse - or they can help to put us back on track. <br><br>"Islington Council has a strong track record of taking practical action to tackle climate change. We're already using renewable energy sources to reduce our own carbon footprint and setting up a £3million Climate Change Fund to help others do the same - but if we're going to make a real difference, everybody needs to get involved."<br><br>Next week's launch comes hot on the heels of a similarly bold step by Islington Council -- who this week announced plans for a £3million Climate Change Fund for capital projects. The fund will help pay for real, concrete, visible measures to reduce carbon emissions - such as solar panels, wind turbines, biomass boilers and ground source heat pumps. <br><br>Islington's Climate Change Partnership started work in November 2006. More than 20 local organisations contributed to a Carbon Baseline Study -- which gathered information on the Partnership's collective carbon emissions so they could agree a target for reduction.<br><br>The Partnership's target for carbon reduction will be unveiled at the launch, where members of the Partnership will pledge to achieve this reduction in their own organisations. <br><br>In return the Partnership will provide on-going help, support and advice to members, so they can reduce their energy costs. It will also keep members informed of the latest developments in technology to help save energy, and help secure further funding to deliver the Partnership's work.<br><br>Cllr Lucy Watt, Executive Member for Environment, Islington Council said: "We all need to be bold in dealing with the challenges of climate change. In Islington, we've got organisations pledging real action, and I hope to encourage others to join the Climate Change Partnership and do the same."<br><br>ENDS<br>
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009