The importance of resident input
A review of the current Cool 2 strategy, which was introduced in 2019, is underway, and the Cool Wirral Partnership is seeking the input of local residents to help form a new climate strategy. The partnership, comprising various local organisations, including housing associations, emergency services, the NHS, and faith sector representatives, is inviting residents to share their thoughts and ideas to help shape the new strategy. Peter Owen, chair of the Cool Wirral Partnership, stated, *”Wirral’s response to the climate emergency belongs to every resident, business and organisation. I encourage everyone to contribute their thoughts and ideas to the updating of the Cool Wirral strategy as we all work together to make a difference.”*
The Cool 2 strategy, introduced in 2019, aimed to achieve net carbon neutrality by 2041 and set out a range of actions to help the borough achieve this goal. The review of the strategy is part of a public consultation process, which will provide an opportunity for residents to give their feedback on the proposed actions.
- Energy actions:
- Transportation actions:
- Resource actions:
- Natural environment actions:
- Adaptation actions:
The proposed actions are grouped into these themes, and residents can provide feedback on how important they think each action is, whether more could be done, and what benefits they believe the actions will bring to themselves and the wider community. A survey has been set up on the Have Your Say website, where people can share their thoughts on the proposed actions for the new climate strategy. The survey includes:
- Multiple-choice questions to gauge resident support and concerns.
- A space for residents to write in their own ideas and suggestions.
- Opportunities for residents to rate the importance of each action on a scale of 1-5.
The Cool Wirral Partnership is committed to working collaboratively with residents, businesses, and other stakeholders to achieve the goals of the new strategy. By involving residents in the consultation process, they can ensure that the actions taken are effective and meet the needs of the community.
The review of the current strategy will provide an opportunity for the partnership to assess its progress and make any necessary adjustments. The partnership will then use the feedback from residents to help shape the proposed actions and their delivery. The partnership aims to take collective responsibility for delivering the new strategy, which will include working together to seek funding through grants to make the actions a reality.
Key benefits of the new strategy
The new strategy aims to address the following key areas:
- Benefits
- Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality, enhanced community engagement, and increased transparency and accountability.
- Risks
- Uncertainty around the effectiveness of some actions, potential disruption to businesses and services, and challenges in achieving the goal of net carbon neutrality by 2041.
The Cool Wirral Partnership is working to mitigate these risks by engaging with residents, businesses, and other stakeholders to ensure that the actions taken are effective and meet the needs of the community. By working together, the partnership aims to achieve the goals of the new strategy and create a sustainable future for Wirral.
*”A sustainable future for Wirral begins with the support and engagement of every resident, business, and organisation. I encourage everyone to contribute their thoughts and ideas to the updating of the Cool Wirral strategy.”*
Getting Involved
To get involved in the consultation process, residents can visit the Have Your Say website and complete the survey. The survey will be open until a date will be announced shortly. The Cool Wirral Partnership is committed to ensuring that the consultation process is inclusive and accessible to all residents. If you require any assistance or have any questions, please contact the partnership directly.
The future of Wirral’s climate strategy is in the hands of its residents.
