The world has finally started to wake up to what former US vice-president Al Gore called An Inconvenient Truth  – his film highlighting the dangers posed by global warming.

The truth about global warming may be ‘inconvenient', but the consequences of not facing up to it are catastrophic. And when politicians, business people and academics got together at Southampton University to look at how to create a ‘Low Carbon South East', they were acutely aware of the need for urgent practical action on a global, national and local scale.
It wasn't all doom and gloom, however. Moves to develop a low carbon economy can be a catalyst for innovation.


ecretary of state for innovation, John Denham, commented: ‘The Government sees the role of the development of a low carbon economy as a key aspect of enterprise and business innovation.'

And this is particularly evident in the South East of England. The region has some of the highest levels of carbon emissions as a consequence of its bustling economy. But, it is also well-placed to take advantage of eco-business opportunities, in terms of research and technology and companies and academic institutions which are based there. Local government is in a unique position to ensure eco-opportunities are maximised, through its own activities – putting pressure on business and giving advice to local communities, and using its economic development, sustainable procurement and workforce policies in addition to its environmental role.

Delegates at the conference – organised by sustainable development charity the Environment Centre (tEC) and sponsored by the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) and SEEDA – were told about measures which pioneering authorities in the South East and across the UK were taking. One of the ways in which local government can make its influence felt is via the planning system. The event was the culmination of a European Union-supported project called ‘Suspurpol'. This scheme brought 11 local authorities in South Hampshire together to deliver a joint policy on sustainable development into the South East Regional Assembly's new South East Plan (2006-2026).

While developers commonly look for ways to drive down Section 106 commitments to increase profits, the policy, known as South Hampshire 14, stipulates that all new development to meet the plan's target for 80,000 new homes in South Hampshire in the next 20 years should include on-site renewable energy in their design, use recycled materials, and install the highest levels of water efficiency technology. A total of 270 councils nationally have now signed the Nottingham Declaration, pledging their commitment to combating climate change. But they need to act quickly and collectively, and to carry citizens as well as businesses along with them. Public attitudes are shifting, as witnessed by the growing demand for ethical products, according to Anthony Kleanthous, of the World Wildlife Fund, who says it is ‘a balance between saving the world and savouring the world'. Bracknell Forest Council's leader, Cllr Paul Bettison, who chairs the LGA's environment board, discussed the importance of community leadership in efforts towards carbon neutrality.

He highlighted steps local authorities were already taking, such as Kirklees MBC providing £9m for householders to insulate their properties, and Westminster City Council siting battery chargers for electric vehicles in its car parks.
He also noted areas in which councils could lead their staff and local residents in positive moves towards carbon neutrality.

These included promoting energy efficiency in buildings and fleet services, using regulatory powers, taking a community leadership role, and utilising public health and employment policies. 

One example is Eastleigh BC, which has set an ambitious target to be carbon-neutral by 2012. This entails using 100% green energy, alternative weekly refuse collections, tree-planting, property insulation, providing free composters, and screening  An Inconvenient Truth in schools to raise awareness of climate change. Council staff are behind these activities every step of the way.

APSE has been at the forefront in ensuring local government does all it can collectively to address the planet's biggest challenge.

While there are no easy answers, it is heartening that the need to face this inconvenient truth head-on is now being recognised, and people are coming together to look at what practical action can be taken – before it is too late.

Dr Richard Williams, who chaired the Low Carbon South East event, is a councillor at Southampton City Council and chair of APSE's strategic forum on sustainability and the environment. Paul O'Brien is chief executive of APSE