Introduction
The Northwest Climate Change Action Plan aims to stimulate and
measure the progress of England's Northwest towards a
low-carbon economy, preparing it for the challenges of a changing
climate and expected future energy demands, whilst protecting and
enhancing quality of life and preserving the Northwest's rich
environment.
The Action Plan has been developed in partnership with regional
organisations and experts and will be delivered by the Northwest Climate Change Partnership over
the next three years. The Action Plan details prioritised actions
which need to be delivered within the context of the North West Sustainable Energy Strategy
(the regional strategy which responds to the energy challenges that
lie ahead) and the
Regional Economic Strategy (the regional strategy to
grow and support the Northwest economy).
Moving Forward
For the latest information on the progress of the Action Plan, details of the projects that will be delivered and contact details for organisations responsible, please take a look at the Climate Change Action Plan Progress Report.
There are already excellent initiatives happening throughout the region which will fulfil a number of the aims of the Action Plan and the challenge now is to draw this activity together, identify gaps and barriers, and prioritise future actions.
Within the Action Plan is a vision for the region to be achieved by 2020. For the region to realise this vision, the Action Plan emphasises the need to reduce the region's greenhouse gas emissions by influencing attitudes and behavioural change to increase energy efficiency, reduce energy demand and promote low-carbon technologies, and by ensuring the provision of adaptive measures for the impacts of unavoidable climate change.
By reflecting the behavioural change model in 'Securing the Future - The UK Sustainable Development Strategy', the Action Plan is structured around the ability of regional organisations to Enable (Actions 1-6), Encourage (Actions7-11) and Engage (Actions 12-19) with stakeholders to make real progress towards a low-carbon and well adapted region, recognising that these organisations must Exemplify (Actions 20-22) good practice and Catalyse (Actions 23-27) action.
Whilst all actions in the Action Plan are important, there are twelve priority actions highlighted in bold text which will better coordinate and deliver existing activity and are likely to have the greatest impact on greenhouse gas emissions in the short term.
