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NALC event discusses how local councils can tackle climate change
The National Association of Local councils (NALC) held a climate event on 26 June 2024 that discussed how local (parish and town) councils can fight against climate change and biodiversity loss.
The expert panel featured regional lead external affairs officer at The Woodland Trust, Richard O'Callaghan, environmental projects officer at Corsham Town Council, Garry Ford, and chair and vice-chair of Save our Shropshire, Allan Wilson and Richard Watkins.
Richard O’Callaghan explained how The Woodland Trust could support local councils in their efforts against climate change by providing model wording and suggesting ideas for neighbourhood plans, through their developing tree planting sites finder, funding, and free tree packs scheme. He emphasised the importance of the tree packs, which contain 30- 420 trees from hedges to orchids, by stating “If you go away and do anything today, I would urge you to apply for one of our free tree packs”.
Garry Ford showcased how Corsham Town Council in Wiltshire uses environmental task groups and project groups to help the council to achieve net zero by 2030. He explained that the council has four environmental project groups: the bus action group, promoting public transport; the active travel group, encouraging walking and cycling; the plastic waste group, seeking plastic-free accreditation and organising recycling efforts; and the biodiversity activity group, creating wildflower areas and nature reserves.
Allan Wilson and Richard Watkins stressed the need for carbon literacy and have collaboration with the Society of Local Council Clerks to deliver the Carbon Literacy qualification. They highlighted their upcoming climate change sessions 9 and 16 July 2024. Allan Wilson emphasised that “education is the key to all influencing of people's behaviours. The more that people get to know the knowledge that's readily available about tackling climate change the better for our communities as a whole”.