Tackling Climate Change

Our climate is changing and human activity is the primary driver of this change. The main human influence on global climate is emissions of gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂). This is released when we burn fossil fuels, such as gas and oil, to heat and power our homes and businesses and to run our vehicles. The gases trap heat in the atmosphere, increasing the warming of the earth.

This pie chart shows the main sources of CO2 in the Wyre Forest District.

Cutting our Carbon

The Council has developed a Climate Change Strategy      (1,139K) which sets out how it intends to tackle climate change in Wyre Forest.  This includes actions to reduce emissions from our homes, businesses and transport and to address the impacts of climate change in the area.

For information on the greenhouse gas emission of Wyre Forest District Council, please read our latest Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report(30K).

The District is now working with the Carbon Trust to develop a 5 year Carbon Management Plan by the end of 2011, ready for implementation in 2012 with a target 35% Carbon emissions reduction by 2016.

	Luckily there are lots of things we can all do to cut our carbon emissions- and often save money too. To find out about your emissions, use a carbon calculator such as Act on CO2.

Find out more about cutting your carbon emissions by:

• Saving energy and cutting your fuel bills.
• Installing renewable energy such as solar power.
• Reducing waste and recycling
• Using greener transport, such as walking, cycling, public transport & car sharing.
• Making your business more efficient.

Worcestershire Partnership

The current edition of Climate Change Matters contains all the latest news from the Worcestershire Partnership.

Weird Weather in Wyre Forest

A detailed Worcestershire Climate Change Impacts Study  (1.19MB) has been carried out.

This revealed changes in Worcestershire's climate, for example winters have become much wetter relative to summers. Our climate is expected to carry on changing, with changes in temperature and rainfall patterns and more frequent extreme weather events such as storms and floods.  Predictions depend on future emissions -the higher the emissions, the more extreme the changes are likely to be.

Worcestershire Climate Change Pledge

Many organisations, including Wyre Forest District Council, have signed up to the Worcestershire Climate Change Pledge. This sets out actions that the organisation will take, such as reducing waste and energy use and implementing a staff travel plan. All Wyre Forest organisations, businesses and community groups are invited to sign up to the pledge too!