West Midlands Climate Change Action Plan:

Climate change is happening- the challenge is no longer just about what we can do to minimise our contribution to its causes, but also how we can adapt to cope with the changes that are already taking place.The Assembly has led with partners the development of this Climate Change Action Plan. This is the first step in a continuing programme of actions to ensure that regional working addresses the challenge of climate change.

Evidence is mounting that it is human emissions of greenhouse gasses which are causing rapid rises in temperatures and will increasingly effect the immediate and distant future. The challenge for the West Midlands is to secure actions from partners working together to significantly reduce emissions, grasp the opportunities of a low carbon economy and ensure we are well adapted to the climate changes which are already happening.

Delivery of the Action Plan will be led by a Climate Change Panel of partners including Advantage West Midlands, West Midlands Regional Assembly, West Midlands Local Government Association, Government Office of the West Midlands, Environment Agency and Natural England. The Panel will be accountable to the Regional Minister for the West Midlands, Liam Byrne.

The Panel is supported by a group of officers from regional organisations. The Action Plan will be a dynamic resource rather than a static report. Further iterations will be reported to the Panel and will be made available via the Assembly's website.

Download the West Midlands Climate Change Action Plan

West Midlands Climate Change Declaration

West Midlands Regional Assembly has signalled its commitment on Climate Change by signing up to the Nottingham Declaration, indicating its intent to work and contribute to addressing this global issue at a regional level. The Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change is a public statement to take action to tackle climate change.

The official signing of the West Midlands Declaration on Climate Change took place on 30th November 2006 with Ian Pearson MP (Minister for Climate Change and the Environment) and Cllr David S Smith (Chairman of the West Midlands Regional Assembly) putting their signatures to the Declaration.

By making this strong move, the Assembly is pushing Climate Change to the top of the regional agenda and wants to see it act as a fundamental driver into all regional decision making.

The Declaration has also been signed by Olwen Dutton, Chief Executive West Midlands Regional Assembly and Baroness Andrews OBE, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State.

Download the West Midlands Climate Change Declaration

For further information, please contact Ben King on 0121 678 1058 or email b.king@wmra.gov.uk