As part of the Conservative-led administrations’ bid to become ‘the greenest city in the north’, the March meeting of the council’s ruling Executive Group will look to approve a new city-wide programme designed to create a framework to minimise the wasteful use of natural resources.
“One Planet York” will seek to focus on three key areas: a diverse economy, health and social well being and the quality of the built and national environment and ensure that resource sustainability is at the centre of their development.
One Planet York stems from one core message: we are consuming the resources of three planets when we only have one. At its foundation are ten principles: health and happiness, equity and local economy, culture and heritage, land use and wildlife, sustainable water, local and sustainable food, sustainable minerals, sustainable transport, zero carbon and zero waste. Many organisations in York are already heavily involved and indeed leading on developing these principles . The plan behind One Planet York is for the council to adopt these key principles and to help others to do so as well.
The council intends to work with partners to provide a co-produced One Planet York prospectus setting out key principles, securing ten ‘early pledgers’ to kick-start the process and to secure the vision, and to develop a network of endorsements of future pledges in order to create a city-wide platform of shared knowledge and working.
Cllr. Tony Richardson, Conservative Spokesperson for the Environment, said “This is the first city-wide approach to get to grips with a number of initiatives currently being developed in York and to create a framework to ensure that real change actually happens. Whilst York enjoys an enviable reputation as great place to live, work and visit, we can’t be complacent in the face of such stark warnings regarding what our consumption of natural resources is doing to the environment and we will all need to work together to be truly successful.
“ Our ambitions through One Planet York are to protect York’s green spaces, increase the percentage of waste recycled, cut carbon emissions, improve air quality, focus on cost and efficiency and to make the most of our commercial opportunities.”
If approved by the Executive on Thursday 17 March, more information about how residents and businesses can pledge their support to One Planet York in the weeks to follow.