Rural councils form new network to tackle climate change

A cross-party group of 21 councils from has formed a new network to promote the voice of the countryside in the climate change debate.

The Countryside Climate Network​ has been established ‘to ensure that the voice of rural knowledge and experience on climate action is listened to in Westminster’.

And it wants the government’s delayed £100bn infrastructure fund ‘to support the ambitions of rural areas and the opportunities our countryside and green infrastructure can provide’.

The group is chaired by the ​Conservative leader of Cambridgeshire County Council​, Cllr Steve Count, who said: ‘From Cornwall to County Durham we have decided to take a stand. We’re frustrated that climate solutions and green recovery packages haven’t found the right balance, largely missing the rural voice.

‘It can be hard to meet our sustainable ambitions when urban areas have no need to fund essential bus services to remote communities or invest in broadband because the market doesn’t reach isolated areas,’ added Cllr Count.

‘These examples of typical rural disadvantages add up, combined with a funding gap in rural areas twice that of our urban counterparts, means our stretched resources are diminished making the challenge of funding sustainable solutions even harder.

‘We need a green recovery that works for the two thirds that live outside the most urban cities and towns.

‘However, rural communities face unfair barriers in trying to decarbonise – it is harder to attract funding for projects which don’t fit traditional cost benefit analyses, which favour urban concentrations yet may have less overall carbon reduction impact.’

The new network has been established by ​UK100, a group of local leaders​ that campaigns on climate change.

‘Climate change affects every area and every person, and rural towns and villages can be more vulnerable to the impacts, such as extreme weather,’ said UK100 director, Polly Billington.

‘Countryside councils are well placed to tackle climate change and meet the needs and ambitions of their communities for economic recovery and better health and well being, with innovative solutions along with the democratic legitimacy to deliver lasting change.’