Introduction

We are currently undertaking a 12-week public consultation to seek comments on this Plan and we would like you to have your say.

The Sustainability Strategy and Climate Action Plan sets out an integrated approach for tackling the climate crisis. It provides a framework for the Council to take action to reduce emissions and adapt to the climate change that is already occurring. This plan is designed to help us begin our journey, but it will continue to be developed to keep pace with shifts across society, technology and wider policy, including the changing needs of communities, groups and organisations within Mid Ulster.

The plan sets out the ambitious, science-based actions that we can work towards achieving by 2028. All of these actions are organised into five action areas: Community Leadership; Resource Efficiency; Sustainable Transport; Natural Environment; and Green Growth. Our vision is to lead our community to create a sustainable and resilient future where environmentally friendly practices and collective efforts ensure a thriving rural community for generations to come.

We are committed to achieving that by 2050 through the following goals:

• Reducing the Council’s operational emissions to Net Zero by 2050 with an interim target of a 20% reduction by 2028
• Leading the way to a Net Zero District and supporting the local community in its journey to Net Zero
• Councillors, employees and the wider community undergoing training to become climate and sustainability literate
• Planning and developing sustainable and resilient assets
• Replacing the Council’s vehicles and heating systems with zero / low-emissions versions

Question Title

* 1. What is your main interest in responding to this consultation? (please tick in which primary capacity you are responding to this survey).

Question Title

* 2. Please provide your contact details below (you may skip this question if preferrable, however, we will be unable to keep you informed on the outcome of the consultation).

Under the Data Protection Act (2018), Mid Ulster District Council (the Data Controller) has a legal duty to protect any information it collects about you. Your information will not be disclosed to any third party, unless law or regulation compels such a disclosure.

The information we hold will only be used for the purposes of keeping you informed about the consultation. By completing the details below, you are authorising Mid Ulster District Council to use information for the purposes outlined above (please note that you can request that your details be removed at any time). Refer to * Confidentiality and Access to Information Legislation.

Consider the statements in questions 3 - 7 and answer with the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement.

Question Title

* 3. I am worried about the impacts of climate change on me personally.

Question Title

* 4. I am worried about the impacts of climate change on future generations.

Question Title

* 5. I believe the earth is warming up due to human activity.

Question Title

* 6. I believe that if everyone does their bit, we can reduce the impacts of climate change.

Question Title

* 7. I have personally noticed the effects of climate change.

The Mid Ulster District Council plan is grouped into 5 different Action Areas, consider the following statements in questions 8 - 12, the related actions within the plan, and answer how you would rank their priority.

Question Title

* 8. Community Leadership – By empowering and supporting local residents and organisations in taking an active role in combating climate change to create a more resilient and sustainable community.

Question Title

* 9. Resource Efficiency - By maximising the efficient use of natural resources and materials, we not only reduce our carbon footprint but also create a more sustainable and circular economy.

Question Title

* 10. Sustainable Travel - By providing and promoting environmentally friendly transportation options, such as active travel and low / no carbon vehicles, we empower staff and residents to make greener choices.

Question Title

* 11. Natural Environment - By preserving and enhancing our natural environment, we are better equipped to reduce and withstand the impacts of climate change, such as flooding and extreme weather events.

Question Title

* 12. Green Growth - Our plan acknowledges the importance of stimulating economic development while minimising environmental impacts and carbon emissions.

Consider the statements in questions 13 - 17 and answer with the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement.

Question Title

* 13. Mid Ulster District Council should seek to reduce its operational emissions to Net Zero by 2050 with an interim target of a 20% reduction by 2028

Question Title

* 14. Mid Ulster District Council should lead the way to a Net Zero District and support the local community in its journey to Net Zero

Question Title

* 15. Mid Ulster District Council should facilitate its Councillors, employees and the wider community to undergo training to become climate and sustainability literate

Question Title

* 16. Mid Ulster District Council should plan and develop sustainable and resilient assets

Question Title

* 17. Mid Ulster District Council should replace the Council’s vehicles and heating systems with zero / low-emission versions

Question Title

* 18. Please use the following space to provide any further comments relating to the proposed Sustainability Strategy and Climate Action Plan, is there anything you would change or do differently? Do you think the plan is achievable? Do you think the plan is too ambitious or not ambitious enough?

This completes the survey, thank you for your feedback. Your comments and thoughts are important to our considerations in shaping our Sustainability Strategy and Climate Action Plan. The outline of this survey will be published online in due course after Council has considered the final results.

* Confidentiality and Access to Information Legislation

Information provided in response to this consultation, excluding personal information may be published or disclosed, in accordance with access to information legislation; these are chiefly the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR).

If you want the information that you provide to be treated as confidential, please be aware that under the FOIA, there is a statutory Code of Practice (Section 45) with which public authorities must comply and deals with amongst other things, obligations of confidence. In view of this, it would be helpful if you could explain to us why you regard the information you have provided as confidential. If we receive a request for disclosure of the information, we will take full account of your explanation, but we cannot give an assurance that confidentiality can be maintained in all circumstances. An automatic confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system will not, of itself, be regarded as binding on Mid Ulster District Council.

For further information about confidentiality of responses please contact the Information Commissioner’s Office on 028 9027 8757 / 0303 123 1114 or e-mail ni@ico.org.uk (or see their website at www.ico.org.uk).

T