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The proposals – included in a new climate change strategy for the city – would see the city cutting its carbon emissions by nearly two thirds over the next few decades.

This would be achieved by adopting a series of radical ideas including installing grass roofs on city centre buildings and encouraging Coventry people to sign up to a series of pledges aimed at protecting the environment.

Residents will be asked for their views on the ideas in the strategy, which has been developed by Coventry City Council for the Coventry Partnership.

The consultation period will last until the end of December and residents' views will be incorporated into a final version of the strategy to be adopted by the Coventry Partnership next Spring.

Cllr Gary Ridley – one of the country's first councillors with a specific Cabinet responsibility for climate change issues said:
"We've got to start taking action now to protect the planet for future generations and we know that many Coventry people feel passionate about doing all we can to make a difference.

"The strategy includes a wide range of ideas that, if adopted, could mean radical changes in the way we live and work in the city. Now we need to know what Coventry people think about these ideas and what they're prepared to do to protect the environment for our children and grandchildren.

"I'm particularly aware of the Council's role as both the city's biggest employer and as a leader in the community. We need to do more within the Council itself, and although we've already begun this work we need to look at wider issues, such as how we build new developments and how we travel around in order to see the real step change we need.

"There's a real challenge here for all of us and it starts with individual action. So, for instance, over the past six months I've made a conscious effort to use public transport where I can and leave my car at home. That does mean a bit more planning ahead, but I'm glad I can make a contribution."

Les Ratcliffe, Chair of Coventry Partnership, said:
"It is an issue that affects us all and every one of us can make a difference - 40% of CO2 emissions in the UK come directly from what we do as individuals – for example, heating and using electricity.

"We also need to act with all our partners if we are to tackle this monumental issue and this strategy will help us to achieve that. We need to take action now for the people that we shall never meet or know."

Ideas in the strategy to help the city achieve a 67% cut in carbon emissions by 2050 include analysing the results of the March 2007 thermal aerial survey of the city to identify where key energy improvements are needed.  There are also plans to introduce a Coventry Energy Pledge Card so that people commit to a series of actions such as:

• walking to work, entertainment or school twice  a week
• turning off all unnecessary  lights and appliances and standby buttons every day
• having at least three energy saving light bulbs in homes
• making a contribution to safeguarding wildlife such as growing a hedge, planting a tree, keeping front gardens

After this summer's storms, the plans will also review the effects of storm surges and vulnerability to flooding and subsidence across city with flood risk assessments for all development sites.