Friends of the Earth has highlighted how climate-friendly Lincoln is and also showcased what needs to be done in order to improve the city.
The environmental group’s recent report said: “The Lincoln area’s performance on climate change is average compared to other local authority areas. All local authorities, even the best performing, need to do much more if climate catastrophe is to be averted.
“Lincoln particularly needs to do much better on increasing the use of public transport, cycling, and walking, improving home insulation, and increasing renewable energy.”
Lincoln City Council declared a state of climate emergency for the city in July and do have a Climate Change Strategy in place. Councillor Ric Metcalfe, leader of City of Lincoln Council, said:
“I am delighted that the city council has made this declaration, as it builds on many years of work by the council to address the problem of climate change.
“We all know how urgent the situation is becoming, and this resolution offers us the opportunity to double our efforts.
“We welcome all the support we’ve had from various groups in the city, and look forward to working with them for a carbon-free Lincoln.”
However, a city council spokesperson said they were not aware of the Friends of the Earth report.
Friends of the Earth hope to empower groups to work with their local councils to create a Climate Action Plan.
Richard Dyer, Friends of the Earth East Midlands campaigner, said: “We know we are facing a climate and ecological emergency that threatens our existence and the natural world.
“If we want to change things for the better, then home is a good place to start because it’s our responsibility to hand on a better environment to the next generation.”
Friends of the Earth has stated in a press release: “Local authorities can’t do it all themselves, they need more powers and finance alongside government action.
“But by communities coming together to improve their local area, they can put pressure on the government to place the climate emergency at the front of all decision making: change starts at home.”
