A motion introduced by Hounslow Liberal Democrats at last week's council meeting has pushed the borough further towards introducing a Climate Change Strategy and comprehensive programme to achieve sustainable development.

The final motion, as passed by the Council, commits council officers to investigating the feasibility of the Hounslow becoming a beacon council for excellence in sustainable development in the next six years. Executive member Cllr Hibbs of the Community Group stated that a Climate Change Strategy (a key feature of the original motion text) was now in the work plan for delivery by the end of the year.

After the meeting councillors supporting the original un-amended motion came together for a historic photo shoot holding white balloons symbolising the CO2 emissions that new policies – if introduced – would bring under control.

Andrew Dakers, Liberal Democrat group leader on Hounslow Borough Council, said “I’m thrilled to see that common sense has prevailed and that the green action agenda is moving forward in Hounslow, albeit rather slower than we would like. We will keep up the pressure on the new administration to deliver real commitments and action in Hounslow to tackle climate change.

“Reducing CO2 emissions, increasing the amount of organic and seasonal food we eat, improving the environmentally-friendly nature of our local transport and encouraging native wildlife diversity are key to making our community more sustainable.”

Dakers added "Leading scientists acknowledge climate change is the greatest danger facing our planet. In many parts of the world people are already losing their lives as a result of a growing trend of climatic extremes. There is now consensus emerging at a national level that urgent action is needed. My colleagues and I are thankful that Hounslow may now start to adopt many of these proposals.”