Climate Change – what lies ahead for neighbourhoods?

The last NDC Network meeting on February 22-23 in Manchester gave an opportunity to discuss the new big thing on the NDCs’ agenda– climate change.

In one of the workshops, experiences were shared on how NDCs have been tackling environmental issues so far and what they are planning to do in the future. To give just some examples, Green Procurement Code should be introduced in building industry to promote use of environment-friendly materials. Urban planning should move towards ‘carless’ development (fewer parking lots), reducing road congestion and supporting car pool schemes. A range of ‘green’ service facilities such as restaurants, delicatessen and laundries needs to be developed – and some of them like Shoreditch’s new “green” restaurant Acorn House are already up and running.

Examples were multiple but the message dominating the discussion was the same: it is necessary to bring all NDCs together to successfully combat climate change. Only when it is possible to share best practice examples and resources across the entire Network and to Government, can real progress be made. The next step, it was firmly decided, is to produce NDC Climate Change shared strategy. It is good to see that NDCs are strong and ready to act towards reduction of climate change.

Comments

[waheed saleem]

This is very interesting and welcomed. The Sustainable Development Commission the independent Government Advisor will shortly be publishing their sustainable communities review which will provide a resource for NDC's to further their work in this area. In the meantime further resource is avilable on the website.