Friday January 31st 2020

Woking has put climate change and sustainability at the heart of its 2020 plans, with the launch of a major integrated campaign to encourage more people to get directly involved with protecting and improving the environment for future generations.

Woking Borough is already among the most ambitious green-focused areas in the UK. Last year, it was one of the first to declare a climate change emergency and a clear, focused Climate Change Strategy (Woking 2050) has long been in place delivering across a range of key areas.

The campaign, organised by #WEAREWOKING, is designed to help local communities, including business, residents, schools, colleges and visitors, to act now to help tackle the most urgent global and local environmental challenges faced, including climate change, waste, air quality and biodiversity protection.

Promoting a greener, cleaner Woking which is ready for the future, the campaign has the support of a range of local stakeholder organisations, including, Woking Environment Action (formerly called Woking LA21), Surrey Wildlife Trust, ThamesWey Group and Action Surrey, and Woking Borough Council.

Cllr Kevin Davis, Woking Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, said:

“Woking is ambitious, forward-looking and proactively working for a future in an environment which is protected and improved for all generations who choose to make it their home, place of work or to visit.

“Working collaboratively with everyone, we have the commitment and tools to deliver real change, drive action and make a positive difference.”

Acknowledging its responsibility in addressing global climate change, Woking is committed to protecting and enhancing its high-quality natural environment and conserving biodiversity and habitats with a sustainable built environment that supports the local and wider area.

“This campaign will help to get that message across, encourage greater awareness of opportunities to each do our bit, so that, collaboratively, we can sustain and maintain our great green spaces and habitats and lead greener, healthier lives, Cllr Davis said. “I welcome the efforts of #WEAREWOKING to help drive action and urge everyone to get involved.”

“I welcome the efforts of #WEAREWOKING to help drive action and urge everyone to get involved.”

The campaign was launched at the Living Planet Centre in Woking, the UK headquarters of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and will promote and drive greater participation across a range of existing and new initiatives.

Gareth Redmond-King, Head of Climate Change at WWF-UK, said:

“It feels as though the UK is truly waking up to the climate and nature emergency. However, if we stand any chance of winning the fight for our world in 2020, we’ve got to slash our emissions and work hard to protect nature – on our doorstep and around the world. “

“To see Woking Borough Council putting environmental issues at the heart of its campaign and work this year is a positive step and an example for authorities throughout the UK.”

“All councils must recognise the climate crisis or have plans to tackle urgent environmental threats, and for any that don’t, we must all demand better, and ask for commitments and solutions when politicians seek our votes. We’re running out of time.”

For more information on the campaign, follow #WEAREWOKING on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.