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Council Leader John Leek and Chief Executive Gordon Holdcroft officially signed the declaration on behalf of the borough council today, joined by the Cabinet's climate change champion Cllr Elaine Still.

The Energy Saving Trust is urging local authorities across the country to adopt the declaration, which was relaunched in 2005, pledging to tackle climate change in their areas. This commits the council to look for ways to save energy and cut CO2 emissions in how it provides its services. It will also mean working with partners and the community to encourage residents and businesses to cut their energy use, reduce congestion, adapt to the impacts of climate change and improve the local environment.

By 2008, the council has pledged to have its own climate change strategy, with a timetable of actions and targets, building on what the council is already doing. Each council service has a 'sustainability champion' looking out for ways in which it could be provided in a more environmentally-friendly way.

Work already underway at the council includes initiatives to provide low income households with low energy light bulbs and special plugs to power down computer equipment left on standby. The council's home energy officer gives presentations to schools on climate change and provides advice to households on how they can carry out their own energy check. The council this month hosted a free Sustainable Business Roadshow, giving companies advice on saving energy and cutting CO2 emissions.

And the council has already called for volunteers to have wind turbines installed on their roof as part of a pilot project to monitor how effective this alternative form of energy can be. The first of these volunteers is now at the stage where they can apply for planning permission. As a planning authority, the council is keen to set standards in the future for all new housing developments to have a percentage of homes using renewable energy. Plants that don?t need so much water have been used in the council maintained parks and planters.

The council says that it has been working hard to put its own house in order, with sensor taps and lighting in the civic offices and other initiatives to cut water, paper and energy use. There is a council car share scheme aiming to reduce the number of people driving to work.

Cllr Still said: ?There is a lot that the council is already doing, but signing this declaration reinforces our pledge to look for ways to tackle climate change, making this a cornerstone in all we do. We need to raise awareness of the issues and highlight the contribution that everyone in our community can make, supporting our businesses and residents to cut their energy use and CO2 emissions.?

Philip Sellwood, Chief Executive of the Energy Saving Trust which administers the Nottingham Declaration, said: ?We are delighted that Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has shown its commitment to climate change and signed this very important declaration. Climate change is occurring and will continue to have far reaching effects on the UK's people and places, economy, society and environment.?

As the old adage goes, ?better late than never?. Has your local authority signed the declaration? Check out the Nottingham2005 link.