Leicestershire County Council is committed to protecting and enhancing the environment of Leicestershire and to improving the quality of life for Leicestershire people both now and in the future. By minimising the impacts of our own activities and those of the community where we have duties or responsibilities to control and influence them, Leicestershire County Council will contribute to the improvement of the local and global environment.

Leicestershire County Council aims to:

Move towards more sustainable use of resources
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the rate of climate change
Take action to adapt to climate change
Reduce the amount of waste produced and minimise its environmental impact by following the waste hierarchy of reduce, reuse, recycle and treat.
Conserve and enhance the County’s biodiversity and habitats
Conserve and enhance the character, diversity and local distinctiveness of Leicestershire landscapes and towns, and provide opportunities for public access and enjoyment of green spaces.
Support action to create a healthy environment, with reduced pollution and contamination
Lead the community by demonstrating and promoting environmental good practice.
Take action to reduce the risk, and impact, of floods and droughts
Increase our use and generation of renewable energy

In support of these aims Leicestershire County Council is committed to:

Critical examination of the impacts which our policies and programmes have, or could have, on the environment and timely actions to prevent pollution and minimise these impacts
Integration of environmental best practice in corporate and specific policies where appropriate
Setting of objectives and targets to support these policy commitments and to deliver continual improvement in our environmental performance
Measurement against comparable authorities and other benchmarks
Compliance with the requirements of all environmental legislation, and other environmental commitments to which we subscribe as a minimum
Raising awareness and encouraging participation among members and employees in environmental matters
Spreading and sharing knowledge across the Council through Go Green champions in all establishments
Ensuring purchasing decisions are mindful of environmental impacts
Working with partners, businesses, LA maintained schools, Academies and other organisations which demonstrate commitment to reducing their own environmental impact
Increasing understanding of environmental issues, ensuring everyone has access to accurate information, which encourages sustainable lifestyle changes and encourages focussed voluntary action
Requirement of staff to work to the 7 ways to Go Green

Objectives

The Council’s carbon dioxide emissions are reduced
The authority increases its resilience to the predicted changes in climate
The amount of waste produced from Leicestershire County Council establishments, services and households is minimised and the percentage of waste recycled is increased
Residual waste per household is reduced
Percentage of household waste sent for reuse, recycling, and composting is increased
The percentage of recycled aggregates used is increased
The Council’s procurement of goods, works and services is environmentally sustainable
The Council demonstrates efficient use of water
All County Council sites maximise their value for geodiversity/biodiversity
The Council has reduced polluting emissions from its operations and from the local transport network
The diversity, local distinctiveness and accessibility of the Leicestershire landscape and towns is respected, conserved and enhanced by County Council operations and development
Staff, Councillors, partners and members of the community understand the Council’s improved environmental performance and know how they can contribute to the achievement of the targets