COUNCIL SET TO BENEFIT FROM EUROPEAN EXPERTISE AND FUNDING IN BATTLE AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

COUNCIL SET TO BENEFIT FROM EUROPEAN EXPERTISE AND FUNDING IN BATTLE AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

December 3, 2009 12:00 AM

City of York Council could soon have access to support and funding from the EU in its efforts to combat climate change if Councillors agree to back a Lib Dem motion at Full Council tonight.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Christian Vassie, who is also the Council's Energy Champion, has proposed a motion that would see the Council signing up to the Covenant of Mayors.

The Covenant of Mayors is an EU wide initiative that commits local authorities to go beyond EU emissions targets and lead the way in the fight against climate change.

Currently more than 900 local authorities, representing over 25% of the EU population have signed up to the Covenant.

Authorities that sign up to the Covenant of Mayors have access to technical support and advice on cutting their carbon emissions from a dedicated Covenant of Mayors office, funded by the EU.

Signatories also have access to the European Local Energy Assistance (ELENA) fund which has been set up in cooperation with the European Investment Bank.

Councillor Vassie's motion also asks Council officers to look at ways in which practical steps can be taken to improve the energy efficiency of listed buildings in the city.

Councillor Vassie said, "York has already committed to going beyond EU emissions targets by agreeing a carbon management programme to reduce CO2 emissions by 25% by 2013."

"Signing up to the Covenant of Mayors will give York access to the support and financing that will enable us to go beyond that target and take practical steps towards reducing our impact on the environment."

Councillor Vassie said it was important that the city looked at how energy efficiency could be improved in older and listed buildings. He said, "In a historic city like York we need to be taking real steps to improve the energy efficiency of our older buildings."

"We are already looking in detail at energy consumption figures for both the Guildhall and the Mansion House in an attempt to better understand where we can make savings."

"Buildings like the Mansion House may be more difficult to make energy efficient while at the same time maintaining their historic look but that doesn't mean there aren't practical steps we can take."

"I would hope that when Council officers look at how we can take these steps they will consider how we can amend our planning policy to make it easier for people to make changes to historic buildings, including making it easier to install double glazing."