Six weeks left to take part in the Big Leeds Climate Conversation

Leeds City Council is urging residents to share their views on how the city should respond to the climate emergency before the Big Leeds Climate Conversation ends on October 31.

By taking part in the conversation-which is being conducted in partnership with the Leeds Climate Commission-residents will help the council develop a citywide plan to become a carbon-neutral city.

The questionnaire aims to raise awareness of the urgent need to tackle climate change, find out what actions individuals are willing to take, and explore what residents think about a number of bold ideas to cut emissions in Leeds.

Council officers and volunteer 'climate champions' have attended a number of community events and meetings across the city to promote the conversation since its July launch.

A report summarising the key findings and an action plan based on these findings will be presented to the council's Executive Board in December.

Commenting on the importance of the consultation, Cllr Lisa Mulherin, Executive Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development said:

"To realise our ambition to be a carbon neutral city by 2030, we need the permission and support of the people of Leeds to develop a plan of action.

"Taking part in the Big Leeds Climate Conversation is a fantastic and accessible way for residents to learn more about the climate emergency and what it means for us as individuals, communities and places for work and play.

"I urge every resident to get involved and participate in the online survey conversation questionnaire. Every response will be read and will help shape Leeds' plan to become a carbon-neutral city."

Andy Gouldson, Chair of Leeds Climate Commission, said:

"We need to understand what people in Leeds know and think about the climate emergency and how we should respond collectively.

"We will need to make significant changes over the next decade to achieve the ambition of becoming a carbon neutral city, so it's vital that people get involved now in the conversation about it.

"By completing the questionnaire you can help inform that process. This is a journey we are taking as a city, so we need to hear from all voices."

Residents are encouraged to complete an online questionnaire at: www.leeds.gov.uk/climateconversation.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

Chad Newton

Chad.newton@leeds.gov.uk

01133 789849

Notes for editors:

Watch films of Cllr Mulherin and Andy Gouldson at the launch of the Big Leeds Climate Conversation: https://bit.ly/2M1NS0W

Further information about the council's work to tackle climate change can be found here: http://www.leeds.gov.uk/climate

Respondents to the questionnaire are asked about what individual actions they are willing to take themed around five broad categories:

• the food we eat and waste
• the way we choose to travel
• the stuff we buy and discard
• whether our balconies and gardens support biodiversity
• the energy efficiency of our home

The bold ideas to reduce carbon emissions that the council is seeking resident views on include:

• Introducing tool libraries across the city;
• Supporting hydrogen gas infrastructure for heating and fuelling large vehicles;
• Reducing the carbon footprint of school meals;
• Expanding the Clean Air Charging Zone to high polluting cars and vans by 2030;
• New highways improvements in town centres;
• Introducing a mass-tree planting scheme;
• Creating a new carbon offsetting scheme based in Leeds;
• Planting more wildlife-friendly species at parks and verges;
• Additional investment in sustainable travel infrastructure.

URL : http://news.leeds.gov.uk/less-than-two-months-left-to-take-part-in-the-big-leeds-climate-conversation/