Leeds - Environment City
Leeds Environment City Initiative
In 1991, Leeds City Council adopted its Green Strategy which listed 156 Key Environmental Objectives. In 1993, Leeds became one of only four UK Cities to be awarded the title of "Environmental City".
The Leeds Environment City Initiative (LECI) comprises of a central Environmental City Unit (which is part of the Environment Department); Leeds Environment Action Forum (LEAF, which acts as an umbrella organization to represent community groups, charities and individuals who have concerns about the environment in Leeds); and the Leeds Environment Business Forum (LEBF, which was established for the local business community to enable discussion and action on environmental issues including the development of good environmental practice.
In 1994, Leeds signed the *Aalborg Charter on Sustainable Cities?.
In 1995, Leeds adopted the Friends of the Earth *Climatic Change
Resolution? and
also opened the Leeds Energy and Environment Centre (see below),
which gives free energy and environmental advice to businesses
and citizens.
The Environment City Unit had produced Green Strategy Action
Plans for the City Council and has set up an environment monitoring
service to the
measure city?s air quality and monitor the Council?s environmental
performance. The unit also supports 7 specialist working groups
and publishes a
newsletter, Enironmental City News, which can be obtained, free
of charge, from the Energy and Environment Centre.
In 1996, LECI aims to develop closer environmental ties between
Leeds and other major cities in Europe, to establish an Environmental
Youth Forum, to produce a set of Sustainability Indicators, and
to host a conference on Local Agenda 21.
- LECI, LEAF, & LEBF are based at:
Stansfield Chambers,
6 St George Street,
Leeds,
LS1 3DW,
Tel: (0113) 242 1423 Fax (0113) 243 4200
The Leeds Energy and Environment Centre
The Leeds Energy and Environment Centre, has developed out of a partnership between Leeds City Council and the Energy Savings Trust. The Centre which opened in July 95, provides information on a wide range of energy related issues, free of charge to small businesses and homeowners in order that
the Leeds? people can reach a high standard of environmental good practice and save money on their fuel bills.
Within the Centre, there is a fully equipped meeting room, which is available for energy efficiency seminars and training. This facility is also available for use by voluntary sector associations, individuals, and businesses who want to hold meetings in the city centre. This facility is free of charge so, if you are interested in attending or holding seminars, please contact the Centre.
The centre is also the home of the Leeds Energy Advice Centre
(LEAC), which previously operated operated as a freephone service.
Although the freephone service is still in operation, there is
now the opportunity for friendly face-to-face advice too. LEAC
is one of a network of 33 such Centres throughout the UK so, no
matter where you live, by dialling the freephone service, you
will be put through to your nearest Centre. The Centre is also
intended to act as a focal point for voluntary organisations,
environmental groups, and charities, with displays of environmental
project
from the public, voluntary, and private sectors. Any groups who
feel they would benefit from having their information/leaflets
displayed at the Centre should contact or drop in. It is hoped
that by having such information on display at one centre, more
people will be encouraged to become involved in projects or, at
least, be made aware of the issues. A constant update of the city?s
air quality will be on display in the centre, as well as interactive
CD ROM displays, video presentations, a free leaflet library,
and the energy advise computer.
- The Centre, is based at:
The Leeds Energy and Advice Centre
60, The Headrow,
Leeds,
LS1 8EQ
and is open from 10 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday, so come in and see what you think.
For general enquiries, contact: 0113 2421440.
For energy advice: Freephone 0800 512012.
For more information on all Leeds City Council's services see the Leeds City Council Home Page
Registered Charity No. 1040972
Copy by Michael Hall