Small change, big difference week - 13-18 July 2009

Welcome to the first Small Change Big Difference climate change week!

We would like to say 'thank you' to those councils that have pledged their support for the week and for the examples of how you are helping your residents cut their carbon footprint.

During the week we will be showcasing these examples on our website - access council case studies by region via the left navigation. Each region page has a summary of the case studies in that area.

Please continue to keep us up to date with how your week is going and we would welcome any pictures or press releases that illustrate the way you have chosen to take part in the week.

New manifesto for establishing low carbon communities

This week we are also launching our manifesto for establishing low carbon communities, which puts local authorities at the heart of creating a low carbon future.

This will build on a successful year of campaigning for councils to lead area-based insulation schemes – this has seen real traction with the third sector and some parts of government.

Copies of the manifesto will be sent with an LG Alert to all Councils in England Wales during the week commencing 20 July 2009 and electronic copies will be available shortly

New publications

"The economy or the environment – do I need to choose?" encourages the view that local authorities are key players in the effort to reduce carbon emissions. "How to save energy, conserve water and reduce waste in your home" is a leaftlet produced jointly with EST which councils can download and tailor to their local services. See new publications right for more information.

What’s next?

The communications we have received from you show that councils are committed to the climate change agenda and have made this official by adopting relevant LAA targets and signing the Nottingham Declaration. This demonstrates that for the vast majority of councils, tackling climate change has moved from a voluntary to a core business commitment.

We want to use SCBD week to celebrate and promote this fact – and at the same time look to local authorities to continue leading local action on climate change.

Look out for more information coming soon from the Nottingham Declaration Partnership on exciting development in terms of support for the sector in tackling climate change.

Energy Savings Trust

SCBD week has been developed in partnership with the Energy Savings Trust, who offer various forms of support to local authorities such as:

• Practical help: offering free sustainable energy advice and answers to some of the toughest questions as well as visiting your council with its free presentations service. 
• Local authority one-to-one support: a two-year programme that can help you to assess your progress on addressing climate change and demonstrate local leadership by supporting you in developing a strategic approach to sustainable energy across all services and activities.
• Energy Saving Trust Advice Centres: keeping the local perspective, our network of advice centres provides free and impartial advice to consumers on saving energy, renewable energy and greener transport. With knowledge of local housing stock and contact with homeowners, our advice centres can help you engage your local community and work together towards a common goal.
• TrACE – Tracking action on carbon emissions –helps local authorities that want to monitor and report on carbon saving activities under National Indicator 186.  TrACE can be downloaded from the EST website

For more information and contact details, visit the Energy Savings Trust website.

Please note:

In some cases we may include contact details from local authorities so that more information can be requested, and to help you share best practice. If you object to this then please let us know as soon as possible.

We have had a number of requests for promotional material to use during the week – there are no specific logos or images for this year’s campaign, and we hope that authorities will be able to use their established campaign materials and logos during the week and afterwards to ensure continuity and ownership of their communications.

“How to save energy, conserve water and reduce waste in your home” - You can request a version of this leaflet in an ‘unlocked’ pdf format which is suitable for editing. There are also QuarkXPress and InDesign versions.

email us at scbd@lga.gov.uk