Environment Policy Documents
Leicestershire County Council’s Environment Policy
Statement
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 activities, Leicestershire County Council will contribute
to the improvement of the global environment through local action and will deliver sustainable development
by recognising the links between the environment, people and our economy.
Leicestershire
County Council aims to:
- Support efficient use of all natural
resources,
including energy and water
- 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.
A key part of delivering a better quality of life for
Leicestershire residents and ensuring sustainable development is to reduce the County Council’s own
environmental impact.
In order to demonstrate our commitment
to do this Leicestershire County
Council is committed to:
- Critical examination of the impact which
our
policies and programmes have on the environment and timely actions to minimise these impacts
- Integration
of environmental best practice in corporate and specific policies where appropriate
- Continual
improvement in our environmental performance
- Measurement against comparable authorities
and other benchmarks
- Compliance with the requirements of all environmental legislation
as a minimum
- Raising awareness and encouraging participation among members and employees
in environmental matters
- Spreading and sharing knowledge across the Council through
environment champions in all Departments
- Ensuring purchasing decisions are mindful
of sustainability and environmental impacts
- Working with partners, businesses and
other organisations who demonstrate commitment to reduce 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