Richmond Council puts green issues at the heart of its policies. It aims to become the most sustainable borough in the country.

To achieve this goal, it is developing a Climate Change Strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the council and across the borough.

The final strategy should be in place by the end of this year.

A Sustainability Unit has been set up to spearhead the initiative.

The council is also launching a £1million Climate Change Fund to pay for projects to reduce carbon emissions through energy-efficiency and to produce renewable energy.

The fund will be self-financing and contribute to reducing emissions.

Council leader Councillor Serge Lourie said: "The dangers posed by climate change are stark. We are determined to take a lead and set an example for other boroughs.

"From the outset we established key priorities for the council: to ensure financial stability, excellent value-for-money services, to raise standards in secondary schools, and to focus on young people.

"Another, crucial, aim is for the borough to become the most sustainable in the country.

"There is no doubt that climate change is the main environmental challenge the world faces, and local government has a vital role to play.

"Our strategy will focus on reducing emissions of greenhouse gases across all sources in the borough in partnership with local people.

"Working with the community is key if we are to achieve our aims and local residents and businesses will be involved in a variety of consultations and other activities later this year.

"We are acting locally to deal with a global problem.

"We also wholeheartedly support the Green Guardian Project which seeks to recognise the environmental work of residents, schools and businesses in the borough and we urge everyone to get involved."