A major new plan is about to launch in Calderdale, setting out the actions we can all take to tackle climate change.
Calderdale’s Climate Action Plan for 2023 – 2026 is due to be published on 6 December, whilst COP28 – the United Nations global climate change conference – is underway in the UAE from 30 November to 12 December.
Everyone has a part to play in taking climate action. People and organisations across Calderdale have worked together to develop the Plan in partnership.
It focuses on the steps that the whole community can take between 2023 and 2026 to achieve Calderdale’s target of net zero carbon emissions by 2038.
This is important because Calderdale communities live with the impact of climate change every day. The number and severity of floods in Calderdale have greatly increased over the last decade.
The Council’s Cabinet Members are being asked to endorse the Plan at their next meeting on Monday 11 December 2023, and to recommend Full Council endorsement. This is because the Council has a priority to take climate action, having declared a climate emergency in 2019.
It is also because the Council is a member of the Climate Action Partnership that developed the Plan, and will contribute to the actions. The other members of the Partnership include Calderdale Youth Council, local businesses, the voluntary and community sector, the NHS and local housing organisations.
Cllr Scott Patient, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Active Travel and Housing, said:
“Publishing the Climate Action Plan will be a critical moment for Calderdale, setting us on our path to a brighter, net zero future.
“As a local resident, I join the hundreds of people who have experienced the devastation of climate change first-hand, with my home and my children’s school flooding several times. We must act together, and we must act now, to lessen the impact.
“Behind the Plan is an army of people and organisations stepping up and doing amazing things to protect our environment. The Plan is full of examples of climate action around Calderdale, which shows good progress to build on.
“The same things that we do to help the environment also help our health and our bank balances. For example, walking or cycling short journeys saves on petrol costs and improves air quality, and insulating our homes boosts energy efficiency and reduces heating bills and issues like damp.”
The Climate Action Plan has six themes: Influencing, Community Climate Action, Green Economy, Warm and Resilient Buildings, Transport and Getting Around, and Land and Nature.
These themes are covered in a series of videos filmed for the publication of the Climate Action Plan, which show amazing community efforts to protect the environment:
- Will, a member of Calderdale Youth Council, talks about how young people are being given a voice on climate change. He says: “Climate change is important to young people, mainly because it isn’t our future…this is our present as well.” https://youtu.be/eiHWx-G0ZvM(external link)
- Halifax Community Fridge, based at Madni Mosque in Halifax, provides food to those who need it, using donations from local people and supermarkets. This is a lifeline to many and reduces food waste. https://youtu.be/AlnrFR5aAas(external link)
- Treesponsibility teamed up with St Joseph’s Catholic Primary Academy in Todmorden to plant new trees to help the environment. Kate, a pupil at the school, said: “I have learnt that trees might just make a small difference in the world, but a small difference can be a big thing for humankind.” https://youtu.be/BbI3bi0f9jg(external link)
- Greenglade Nursery and Forest School in Hipperholme has gone paperless, keeping digital records and communicating with parents electronically. It uses energy-efficient infrared heating from the ceiling, and all food waste goes into a large composting container and transforms into peat, which goes back into the raised beds for planting. The children grow their own vegetables and build resilience and independence. https://youtu.be/Nsu0VjR1Hwo(external link)
- Calderdale and Huddersfield Solutions is leading the way on green transport, with all vehicles being hybrid / low-emission as standard. The organisations is looking to have 90% of its fleet fully electric by 2028, and to move away from single-use plastic. https://youtu.be/E9DQQq56Vg8(external link)
- The volunteer-run Calder Valley Community Land Trust provides affordable homes that are sustainable, energy-efficient and resilient. Doris, a resident of one of the homes, said: “I’ve been a lot healthier since I’ve been here…and the energy has been a lot cheaper for me.” https://youtu.be/GovMfKMmp5E(external link)
Communities had the chance to help shape the Plan through a public consultation, which led to more details, deadlines, milestones and targets being included in the final version.
To see the Plan online, visit https://new.calderdale.gov.uk/environment/sustainability/climate-action-plan from 6 December. This is a Plan for everyone, so later in December it will also be released in several languages and as an easy-read version.
People and organisations can help spread the word about the new Plan and promote climate action in Calderdale by using the communications toolkit for partners(external link).
The Plan helps to build resilience across the borough, which is a key theme of the Vision 2024 for Calderdale. The year 2024 marks Calderdale’s 50th birthday and there isn’t long to go. Where do we want to be by 2024? Find out more at www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet meeting is on Monday 11 December at Halifax Town Hall from 3pm. The meeting can also be viewed online at https://calderdale.public-i.tv/core/portal/home(external link)