Climate change is coming into sharp focus on a global scale this week, as the two-week COP26 conference gets underway.
This is the United Nations conference on climate change, with the eyes of the world looking to our countries’ leaders to take some bold action. Action to reduce carbon emissions around the globe, action to reduce the use of fossil fuels and action to slow the rate that our planet is heating up.
Many agree the time for talking is truly in the past – this is a climate emergency, as Suffolk County Council recognised in March 2019 – now is the time for action. Some Presidents and leaders may be conspicuous by their absence, but I hope that doesn’t stop those in attendance from making commitments and taking immediate action.
The outcomes of the conference will undoubtedly affect our daily lives, both personally and professionally.
In Suffolk, local authorities have come together and set the ambitious target of being Net Zero by 2030. Collectively, we have made this commitment tangible in the form of the Suffolk Climate Emergency Plan.
The Plan has specifics goals and priorities across five areas: Collaborative action, Sustainable homes, Low carbon transport, Industrial and commercial energy use, and Cleaner power. This means that colleagues across the county are pulling in the same direction, with the same goals, and the same vision. Each organisation can make big changes on their own, but together the difference will be much greater.
The same is true for you and me, in our homes. We can, and will, make a difference with the changes we adopt. I’m sure like you, my heart does sink a little when I see various national leaders have announced that they are not attending COP26 in person. It can be easy for us to roll over and think “if they’re not committed to this, then what difference am I going to make?”
But for me, that’s a reason to do even more and try even harder. The UK won’t be successful with its ambitions if counties like Suffolk don’t try. And Suffolk won’t be successful if you and I don’t try. Whether they are changes you make at home, or challenge your employer or business to look at how it can reduce the amount of energy it uses and the carbon it emits.
We want to celebrate these people that are making a difference and who inspire us – and that is exactly what we are doing with the Greenest County Awards 2021. The awards ceremony will take place on 12 November, and I’m delighted to say that we’ve had a flood of nominations. There are some fantastic people and businesses who have been put forward that I’m aware, but excitingly a whole raft of entries that I’ve not come across before.
This shows to me that so many people in Suffolk have been committed for a long time, to looking at how they can reduce their carbon emissions, and ultimately contribute to tackling climate change. I’ve been blown away by some of the businesses who have shared our commitment to be Net Zero by 2030 and have plans for the next decade about how they are going to achieve this.
We will of course be sharing details of the winners and nominations in the coming weeks, so you too can be inspired. In the meantime, you can vote for Suffolk’s Greenest Hero! You have until Friday 5 November to choose your winner, you can vote at www.greensuffolk.org/awards
The nominees are: Jason Alexander, Debbie Bartlett, Mark Brewster, Kirsten Marshall, Jo Salter, Hugh Somerleyton and Professor David Welbourn.
I look forward to updating you in a couple of weeks with my thoughts on COP26, and what it will mean for Suffolk. But rest assured that whatever the outcomes, Suffolk continues to work tirelessly in its ambition to be Net Zero 2030 – it’s a huge team effort, and I hope you’re part of it too.
