SOUTH Lakeland District Council is drawing up a policy to tackle climate change.

It has pledged to “encourage and help” local residents and organisations get involved.

The council also plans to explore how it can reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions and source cleaner energy.

It also plans to reduce congestion and deal with fuel poverty across the district.

Measures to help travel and transport and waste production and disposal are also on the cards.

The draft plan is making its way through the council system and will be discussed at a meeting of SLDC’s overview and scrutiny committee on Friday, January 11.

The plan is then due to go before the council’s cabinet on February 6 before being adopted at a full council meeting on February 26.

It reads: “South Lakeland District Council acknowledges that climate change is occurring, that man-made greenhouse gas emissions are a primary cause and that climate change will continue to have far-reaching effects on people and places, the economy, society and environment in the district, across the UK and across the world.

“South Lakeland District Council seeks to maximise the social, economic and environmental benefits which come from combating, and developing resilience to, climate change and developing a sustainable economy.

“South Lakeland District commits to playing its part in meeting emissions targets set internationally and through UK Carbon budgets.”

It said it plans to work with central government and neighbouring councils to contribute to reducing carbon dioxide, as set out in the UK Carbon budget by 2022.

It wants to encourage the community to adapt to climate change, reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions and make public their commitment to action.