The climate is changing and oil and gas are running out. Prices are soaring and competition for these resources is already leading to international conflict. We must depend less on carbon-based fuel, save energy and move towards renewable sources such as wind and solar power. Going nuclear is not carbon free, and the Government has not even worked out how to store the radioactive waste already produced or how to decommission the existing power stations. The nuclear industry needs huge Government handouts to survive, money which could be invested in safe, green energy.

In Sheffield

Very little renewable energy, such as wind, is being generated, and builders do not have to include it in their developments. We need to save money and the planet by promoting the generation of renewable energy locally. New and existing buildings should be more energy efficient. We must reduce car use by supporting public transport and other alternatives. Green councillors are driving the agenda in our neighbour council Kirklees by providing solar water heating and solar voltaic panels to households, insulating the homes of over 2,600 people on low incomes, and moving towards producing energy from renewable sources.

What we have achieved so far:

• Helped to get renewable energy generation into the "preferred options" for the new Planning framework.
• Drafted and got passed a motion to Full Council calling on local MPs to vote for second reading of Sustainable Energy Bills.
• Presented the Council with a proposed budget using the "invest to save" scheme to improve energy efficiency in its own buildings.
• Helped Council tenants get the insulation promised to them in the Decent Homes programme.
• Helped a householder to challenge planning refusal of a roof top wind turbine.
• Lobbied for owner occupiers to be able to "buy in” to the insulation and double glazing being provided in a council-owned block of flats and secured an promise that they should be included in future rounds of the Decent Homes programme.
• Run public awareness ecological footprinting workshops, encouraging reduced energy life styles.
• Worked on a project for a community wind turbine project.

As Green City Councillors we will:

• Lobby for the Council to set up an energy conservation and advice team for the public and its own staff. This would teach energy use and conservation in schools, set targets for energy production and savings in Council buildings and services.
• Campaign for money gained from the Council's energy savings to be used for new energy reduction schemes.
• Provide information to the public on how to make use of available renewable energy technologies and obtaining grants.
• Lobby for the Planning Department to encourage energy micro-generation by households, communities and businesses.
• Press for medium and large new developments to produce 20% of their energy on-site using green technology.
• Identify locations for wind farms, and encourage their development.
• Press for developers to include renewable energy in their developments and to meet high design standards, such as the Building Research Establishment's EcoHomes Very Good rating.
• Continue to call on the Council to declare Sheffield a Nuclear Free Zone, and rejoin the Nuclear Free Local Authorities group.