Cabinet members at North Tyneside Council approved the draft climate change strategy which sets out their commitment to protect the environment for future generations.
Included is a carbon reduction action plan identifying the specific projects that will be explored and implemented to lead the way nationally on sustainability.
Mayor John Harrison said: "This strategy and action plan sets out a series of measures that I will take forward, including using energy more effectively, changing fundamentally the way North Tyneside is supplied with energy and ensuring new development are of the highest sustainable standards – for a very different future."
The council signed up to the Nottingham declaration on Climate Change in 2002 and in the last two years has made major developments to lead the way nationally on sustainability.
Coun John Stirling, cabinet member for sustainable development and planning, said: "This strategy provides the blueprint for tackling climate change for the future and outlines what we as an authority will do to meet the challenges posed by climate change.
"We must work together to exceed the national set targets for reduction of carbon emissions.
"We have a duty to ensure that our children and grandchildren can enjoy an environment that is at least as good as it currently is. Together our generation must tackle climate change."
The strategy sets four key principles for the council to address – reducing carbon dioxide equivalent emissions; support communities to adapt to the impact of climate change; raising awareness of sustainable development through an education programme; and delivery of the carbon management action plan.
The programme proposes to tackle the issue in all areas including at home and work, through biodiversity and sustainability, through changes to transport, waste and the adoption of renewable energy technologies.
An annual report of the strategy will be produced to assess progress against targets.
Some of the projects to be delivered by the council include:-
- map species and habitats at risk in North Tyneside through climate change;
- adopt a target for purchasing a percentage of the council's electrical energy from sustainable resources;
- develop a green management plan for the council's fleet;
- identify and integrate cycle route within town centres by September 2011;
- seek to become self-sufficient in waste minimisation technologies to reduce landfill requirements.
