PROMOTING and developing Suffolk as “the greenest county” will not only help fight global warming and coastal erosion but lead to a tourism and business boom.
By Graham Dines
PROMOTING and developing Suffolk as “the greenest county” will not only help fight global warming and coastal erosion but lead to a tourism and business boom.
That is the claim of councillors, who yesterday approved an ambitious agenda to market Suffolk as the most environmentally friendly county in Britain.
The aim is to encourage all local authorities, public bodies and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and to trumpet the achievement of creating a “quality environment” to encourage companies to move to the county and to attract tourists.
Councillors approved a report from Lucy Robinson, the county's director of environment and transport, which said the strategy would present an opportunity for the Suffolk economy to have a competitive advantage by being “at the cutting edge of environmental awareness and performance.”
Eddy Alcock, the Cabinet member whose portfolio covers the environment, waste management and economic development, said the county's reputation could only increase thanks to it becoming home to important environmental businesses such as offshore wind energy.
“Consolidating and strengthening this will give Suffolk a unique selling point and a firm basis for its economic development,” he said.
Building on the plans of Marks & Spencer and Southwold-based brewer Adnams, he said a strong Suffolk brand - Creating the Greenest County - would “both strengthen the position of these businesses and encourage others to follow their lead, which can only strengthen the Suffolk economy”.
A conference is to be held in the autumn to agree an action plan to reduce Suffolk's carbon footprint.
“If we claim to be creating the greenest county, we will need a challenging but credible ambition,” said Mr Alcock.
“Everyone has a part to play in improving our local environment and in contributing solutions to global issues. To succeed, we will need full participation by individuals, communities, businesses, district, town and parish councils, schools and voluntary organisations to set their own plans to reduce Suffolk's environmental impact.”
The county council is to draw up a statement of intent, outlining its ambitions and urging everyone to help achieve Suffolk's goal.
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