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Businesses and local environmental and community groups will be sharing their ideas and experiences at the 'Climate Change – What Can We Do?' summit at Civic Offices in Basingstoke. The morning event will feature a presentation giving the business perspective on climate change from Basingstoke-based international consultancy company Scott Wilson, who specialise in civil and structural engineering projects, transportation and environmental studies.

There will also be three workshops focusing on the topics of energy and transport; water and waste and planning, biodiversity and habitats.

The council has committed to work together with partners, businesses and the community to draw up a Climate Change Strategy for the borough by spring 2008.

The summit will give those attending the chance to contribute towards the strategy, which will focus on actions the borough can take to cut energy use, reduce congestion, adapt to the impacts of climate change and improve the local environment.

The council's Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change Champion Cllr Elaine Still said:
"Tackling climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time and we need all of our communities to take action. It is important that our businesses get involved, as figures for carbon emissions for the borough show that 39 percent is coming from industry and the commercial sector and 36 percent from road transport, with 25 percent coming from our homes.

"We are putting together an action plan of how we can make a local contribution to tackling this global issue. This is especially poignant as the recent floods in this area have highlighted the local impact of climate change.

"This summit will give businesses and local organisations the chance to have a say in drawing up the action plan. We want them to share their ideas on how we can contribute to tackling the problem and encourage businesses and residents to cut their energy use and carbon emissions."