April 23, 2012
Cabinet Councillors last night welcomed news confirming major progress by the council in its green agenda since the formation of the Community Environment Partnership for Eastbourne (CEPE) back in 2009.
The group set many challenging themes, including creating a low carbon town, managing the towns waste, protecting green spaces and safeguarding the towns historic environment.
Among the many achievements is the doubling of recycling from 18% in 2007 to 37% in 2012, a colossal reduction in waste going to landfill from 55% to 0.4%, green waste collections from over 21,000 households.
Whilst the cycle strategy, solar panel project and the creation of a Low Carbon Governance Board will all help in the continuing drive to reduce the towns carbon emissions.
Cabinet Portfolio Holder for the Environment, Councillor Steve Wallis, said:
“While we have undoubtedly made really impressive and exciting progress towards a more sustainable future, the hard work must go on. Our eight key themes for on-going action include adapting to a warmer world, ensuring we use water sensibly, developing a network of community champions and ensuring healthy air quality.
“The recent success of the Solarbourne project have delivered 4000 solar panels are now generating free electricity on 280 buildings and helping to set Eastbourne apart from other towns for the greener and cleaner example we are setting.”
Eastbourne Borough Council has set a long term target to reduce carbon emissions in the town by 40% over the next eight years, dramatically improve the cycle network by 2027 and ensure our parks remain award winning.
Cllr Wallis added:
“We are fighting on all fronts to reduce carbon emissions, increase recycling, protect the environment, conserve water supplies and encourage more and more residents to play their part. I’m proud of the response we’ve had from so many local people to our plans for sustainability in Eastbourne and they should be proud of themselves too.”
