Local representatives have got together to form a Carbon Innovation Laboratory (CI-Lab) so that actions can be developed and delivered to reduce district carbon emissions.
Folkestone & Hythe District Council (F&HDC) hosted a well-attended meeting of representatives from communities, businesses, educators and special interest groups where the CI-Lab was created.
At the meeting on 13 June 2022 the group recognised that reducing carbon emissions is vital for all our futures and can only be achieved when we all work together and take concerted actions.
The new CI-Lab has been created as an informal voluntary forum to drive forward local action to reduce carbon emissions in the district. The aim of the CI-Lab is a collaborative and community-led forum, supported by the council, where ideas are exchanged, plans created and local actions are delivered.
Over the coming months the CI-Lab will meet regularly to develop and to take the actions that will make a difference. The community representatives will define the projects that are important to the local community and lead the implementation with support from the group.
Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr Lesley Whybrow, said: "We know that we all need to get involved to help remove carbon from our lives and we have to take decisive action now. We have strong communities that are coming together to collectively identify and deliver the local actions to get rid of our carbon emissions and improve all our lives.
"This initiative is all about encouraging positive action with projects that are brought forward by our local communities for the benefit of all. It is there to help bring sustainability to life in a relevant way for all of us. I am proud to be a part of such a great step forward and am delighted the CI-Lab has been created."
Council Leader, Cllr David Monk, said: "I am very pleased to see the CI-Lab getting off the ground. It is a valuable part of the council's green agenda and I look forward to the projects which will emerge."
Look out for announcements about what your own communities are doing and for more information about reducing your own carbon footprint and for tips on how you can make a difference please visit folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/climatechange
Date published: 15 June 2022