Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Performance Review and Scrutiny Committee Item 9

4 September 2009

The Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change

Report of the Chief Officer

Contact: Eunice Mabey [email protected]

1

Summary

1.1

The Service acknowledges the increasing impact that climate change will have on the community during the twenty first century and commits to tackling the causes and effects of a changing climate.

1.2

In order to show their commitment to fighting against climate change, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority welcomes the opportunity to work with Central Government to contribute, at a local level, to the delivery of the UK Climate Change Programme, the Kyoto Protocol and the target for carbon dioxide reduction by 2010.

2

RecommendationError! Bookmark not defined.

2.1

That the Committee recommends to the Authority that the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change be endorsed. The Chairman and Chief Officer to sign the Declaration at the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority meeting on 16 September 2009.

3

Introduction Error! Bookmark not defined.and background

3.1

The Nottingham Declaration is a voluntary pledge to address the issues of climate change. It is a high-level statement of commitment that any local authority can make to its community.

3.2

The Declaration was launched in October 2000 and has now been signed by more than 300 English councils and fire services. By signing the Declaration the Service is making a commitment to develop plans, within two years, with partners and local communities to progressively address the causes and the impacts of climate change.

3.3

At a meeting of the Best Value Environmental Impact Steering Group on 9 February 2009 it was agreed that the Nottingham Declaration should be endorsed by the Authority. Hampshire County Council, Kent County Council and London Fire Brigade are examples of organisations who have already signed up to the Declaration.

4

The Nottingham Declaration Partnership

4.1

The Declaration is underpinned by a unique Partnership of all of the key bodies that support local authority action on climate change. The Nottingham Declaration partners include:

· Carbon Trust;

· Energy Saving Trust;

· Environment Agency;

· International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives;

· Improvement and Development Agency;

· Local Government Association;

· Nottingham City Council;

· UK Climate Impacts Programme.

For more information about the partners and their support for local government, visit www.nottinghamdeclaration.org.uk.

5

Supporting our corporate priorities

5.1

Reducing the impact our activities have on the environment is a key priority for the Service. Endorsement of this Declaration not only focuses organisational strategy but assists in raising staff awareness of our environmental activities.

6

Risk analysis

6.1

The public expect organisations such as Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service to undertake activities to reduce the impact they have on the environment. Failure to meet these responsibilities will result in reducing public confidence in the Service.

7

People Impact Assessment

7.1

The proposals in this report are considered compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Human Rights Act 1998, and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

8

Conclusion

8.1

Endorsement of this declaration will demonstrate the Service's commitment to reducing the detrimental impact it has on the environment. It will serve to focus attention on the environmental aspects of all existing and new initiatives.

9

Background papers

9.1

The following documents disclose the facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report:

The Nottingham Declaration website

www.nottinghamdeclaration.org.uk

Note: The list excludes: (1) published works; and (2) documents that disclose exempt or confidential information defined in the Act.