Resident views sought on new draft Climate Change strategy for Watford

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The council has launched a consultation on its draft Climate Change and Ecological Emergency strategy...

Read the strategy and provide feedback

Residents and businesses across the town are being urged to read the draft strategy and share their views and ideas with the council.

The feedback received will then be used to create the final strategy and a delivery plan for achieving the key environmental goals up to 2030.

The draft strategy focuses on how we make Watford a low-carbon and climate-resilient borough and sets the following targets:

  • Achieve net zero carbon emissions (CO2e) for the borough by the end of 2030
  • 30% of each of our green spaces managed to support nature by 2030
  • Reduce borough waste by 50% by 2030, with recycling making up at least 60% of the waste

In the document the council commits to working alongside its community and businesses to find the best ways to reach net zero carbon, wanting not just to learn from others but to explore innovative solutions that will work for Watford.

Improved biodivesity, more recycling, cleaner greener travel, reduced water usage and improved energy efficiency all form part of the draft strategy.

Front cover of Climate Change and Ecological Emergency strategy

Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “The global climate emergency is affecting communities across the world and in the future will have huge impacts on our local economy, local families and local wildlife here in Watford. It’s so important to address the issues now and protect the future for our younger generations. Your input on this draft strategy is needed and valued.”

The draft strategy also sets out the council’s own commitment to be net zero carbon for emissions (CO2e) by the end of 2030 and to reduce its own organisational waste to near zero by 2030.

Cllr Ian Stotesbury, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Sustainability, said: “The draft strategy sets out how we will create a low-carbon and climate-resilient borough but we can only deliver this in partnership with residents, community organisations and businesses. That’s why your feedback is so important to us. Please go online, read the strategy and complete our short survey.”

The draft strategy builds on the work being done across the council following the declaration of a climate and ecological emergency in 2019 and aligns with the Elected Mayor’s manifesto commitment to making Watford a cleaner, greener, healthier town for all.

Since 2019 Watford’s tree canopy has been increased, a new bike share scheme for residents and commuters was introduced and a 10-year regeneration project on one of Watford’s key natural assets – the river Colne – was started. The borough currently has more Green Flag parks and green spaces than any other part of Hertfordshire due to the council’s continued investment and management.

The draft strategy and survey can be found at https://watfordsustainabilitystrategy.commonplace.is/. The consultation closes on 9 December.

Published: 8th November 2022

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