Foreword - by Cllr Jim O'Boyle
We are facing unprecedented environmental challenges that threaten the health and prosperity of our planet. Tackling this will require changes enormous in scale and scope, encompassing how electricity is generated, how people travel, how land is used and how buildings are heated.
While the challenges are significant, this is also a major opportunity to create positive change that can improve the quality of life, health and wellbeing of our residents and create a greener, more prosperous vibrant future city.
Coventry City Council has an important role to play in addressing the causes and consequences of climate change. We must take action and be innovative to tackle climate change, support nature and build a green economy. We are also committed to create a more attractive greener city for everyone to enjoy.
This strategy is about people as well as the planet and recognises the need to address inequities where those families from the lowest incomes are facing the greatest challenges because of climate change. Coventry is committed to tackling its inequalities, which includes supporting those living in the lowest quality homes and suffering poor health, lack of access to green space, worse air quality, rising fuel costs and food prices. It’s also about ensuring that the city is equipped with the right skills to ensure a just transition to a low carbon economy and that no one gets left behind.
The Council will lead and encourage city-wide action, alongside an independent Climate Change Board where we can represent the interests of residents and bring together stakeholders in the private, public and voluntary sectors to take action. These agencies have had an important role in developing this strategy. We will also continue to engage with residents and empower community organisations to develop projects and encourage behavioural change.
The sustainability and climate change agenda also provides the city with a major opportunity to become the country’s leading centre for the Green Industrial Revolution, bringing new skills, jobs and investment. I am proud to spearhead this ambitious work where we are developing innovative solutions ranging from Greenpower Park to battery industrialisation, the UK’s first Strategic Energy Partnership, an award-winning state-of-the-art materials recycling facility, Coventry Very Light Rail and a cycle-superhighway network.
This is just the beginning. This strategy focuses on how to create opportunities for the whole city working in partnership with others to address this spectrum of issues. We need everyone to play their part; as residents, businesses, educators and organisations, our action plan sets out what you can do to help drive positive change.
Cllr Jim O’Boyle
Cabinet Member Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change