It's difficult to think about how to tackle the climate emergency, when we don’t tend to see the worst impacts of climate change in Wigan Borough. We're experiencing more frequent storms and flood events, as well as warmer weather in the summer and winter, on average.
But, we don’t see some of the catastrophic impacts that other people experience across the world such as sea level rise, endless summer droughts or winter flooding, which damages food and power supplies and puts people into further poverty.
Changing how we think and act
We have an important role at the local level to act as global citizens and prioritise sustainable actions so we can tackle the climate crisis.
How we live and work together in communities and cities can have a huge impact in tackling climate change. The following measures are essential to cutting carbon emissions:
- Energy efficient buildings
- Low carbon public transport
- Encouraging cycling and walking
- Making cities more green with parks and gardens to reduce CO2 and help cool urban areas and reduce flooding.
- Producing goods and food locally to lower the cost of transportation, reduce waste and help local economies.
Thinking and acting at a local level helps communities fight climate change and build resilience to climate impacts.
Wigan's role in the climate crisis
Wigan Borough has a role to play in the upcoming climate negotiations at COP26. Governments are now planning how to rebuild from the pandemic, and it is vital that these plans are based around the need for a global green transition.
This will mean that local authorities will soon be relied upon to deliver strong and robust climate commitments, and that is why Wigan Council has declared a Climate Emergency and committed to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2038 or sooner.