4 September 2008
Eastbourne Borough Council has set a clear objective to become a premier seaside town destination within an enhanced green setting by the year 2026. Through the development of an Environment Strategy and a local partnership involving all sections of the community it is aiming to ensure that environmental concerns will be reflected across all services and activities.
As a coastal town the effects of climate change could be dramatic affecting air quality, land and water. The current global climate means that it is essential to be proactive about reducing carbon emissions, sourcing renewable energy and improving air quality. Eastbourne’s aim is to develop a thriving, healthy and vibrant community with excellent housing, education and employment opportunities.
Reduce, Recycle and Re-Use is central to addressing the challenges of the environment and Eastbourne Borough Council wants to get this message across for waste, energy use, purchasing habits, emissions and consumption in general. The vision is to increase cycle lanes in the town, invest in park and ride facilities, improve the energy efficiency of our homes and buildings, encourage micro-generated renewable energy, build greener homes and make more informed purchasing decisions based on the environmental impact.
Eastbourne Borough Council spokesperson for the Environment, Councillor Steve Wallis says. “Increased recycling and improved air quality monitoring already represent significant successes for this Council. A new Environmental Partnership will contribute to the development of a clear strategy for further improvements; helping Eastbourne to become a leader in environmental sustainability”
In the past 12 months the Borough Council has already moved towards improving Eastbourne’s green setting in a number of ways from your doorstep to the great outdoors. Kerbside recycling now includes plastic bottles and green garden waste collection will soon be free for residents that have signed up to the scheme. An innovative partnership with the University of Brighton will enhance the existing monitoring of fine particulates to gain a better understanding of the profile of air quality and the origins of any harmful particulates. Energy efficiency improvements have been carried out in hundreds of people’s homes and pilot schemes have been running in three homes to examine renewable energy opportunities.
Future investment in achieving an enhanced green setting will be supported by business case approaches designed to fully assess the benefits. Naturally a number of investments will save money in the short and longer term. The key message is to look to the future benefits of the Environment strategy and adopt the Reduce, Recycle and Re-Use policy in all walks of life.
