Content

Climate Change

Hampshire Fire and Rescue signs up to a green future...

22 Sep 2009

• 

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) has committed itself to tackling the effects of climate change by signing up to the Nottingham Declaration.

The Service now joins a growing number of public sector organisations taking steps to develop plans, with partners and local communities, to address the causes and impacts of climate change.

The declaration, set up in 2000, gives the Service two years to show evidence that it is taking a steadfast approach to going green.

Signing the Nottingham Declaration at an Authority meeting, Chairman of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Royston Smith, said:

“The Authority acknowledges the increasing impact that climate change will have on our communities.

“Endorsing the declaration demonstrates the Authority’s commitment to reducing the detrimental impact it has on the environment. It will serve to focus attention on the environmental aspects of all existing and new initiatives that may be on the horizon.”

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service is one of only a handful of Fire and Rescue Services that have signed the declaration, others include Essex, Cheshire and London Fire Brigade.

However HFRS is already working hard to reduce its impact on the environment and has included the matter in its Fire and Rescue Service Plan.

By 2012 the Service hopes to have reduced the effect fires have on the environment by 10% and reduced its carbon footprint by 20%.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Chief Officer John Bonney, said:

“By signing ourselves up to the Nottingham Declaration, we are setting the Service some challenging targets.

“However, I am confident we can achieve them and already have some innovative schemes in place to help take us forward.”

The Service has already introduced a number of immediate improvements including furniture, battery and waste recycling as well as a cycle scheme for staff.

<< news calendar