Green slate for council?

COULD 2021 be the year Lancashire County Council goes green? Hopefully.

The sole Green Party councillor on LCC has called on the authority to devise a formal plan to move the region’s economy away from carbon by the end of the decade.

It’s a huge ask - and it’s far from clear where the ruling Conservative party stands on the issue.

The county council has a key role to play here.

It could insist suppliers only use green energy, and only invest in projects which create a green economy.

It can lead by example – if it chooses to.

It could also use its weight to make sure new housing developments are only permitted if houses are as energy efficient as possible.

Put simply, if we don’t reduce our reliance on fuels which release carbon, we are killing the planet for our children and grandchildren – but the decisions which need to be taken won’t be popular in the short-term.

That makes the issue easier to ignore than embrace.

But interestingly,

Labour is also pushing the county to update on a commitment made two years ago to make all council-run services carbon neutral by 2030.

With the elections due in May, maybe it’s time for the green issues which will define our future to get their moment in the electoral sun.