Action taken by your local Liberal Democrats to combat climate change continues to be felt — both in Waltham Forest and across the country.

Waltham Forest Council are launching a two-week amnesty against plastic bags in the borough that aims to reduce the number in circulation by providing cotton bags for local shoppers use.  You can read more about the initiative here.

The action is being taken because of a motion to Council put forward by Liberal Democrat members Cllr Bob Belam and Cllr John Macklin in December 2007 which ensured that Council would:

“work in partnership with local businesses on proposals to introduce a ‘bag for life’ scheme for shoppers in Waltham Forest, and…launch a borough-wide campaign to gain voluntary agreement to end the practice of providing free plastic bags within the borough”

The recommendation was part of a raft of ‘green’ actions, which have also ensured that Cabinet members have to include a ‘Climate Change Impact Assessment’ in all their reports, ensuring that they pay attention to the local environment.

All this comes as the local Labour party faced more embarrassment from Leyton MP Harry Cohen who helped the Government vote down a Liberal Democrat motion in Westminster that would have seen Members of Parliament sign up to the 10:10 campaign which calls for 10% greenhouse gas emission reductions by the end of 2010.  Campaigners have called the decision “disappointing”. 

Click here for more information on the campaign.