CARMARTHENSHIRE Council has said it has strengthened its commitment to tackling climate change as it launches a new campaign as part of its net carbon zero target.

Prosiect Zero Sir Gâr will involve thousands of council staff, local schoolchildren, businesses and residents and hopes to inspire and encourage everyone to play their part in tackling climate change by reducing Carmarthenshire’s carbon footprint.

The project calls on people to make changes, share ideas, and start conversations at home, in shops and offices, in classrooms and on social media to encourage everyone to work together to tackle climate change.

Schoolchildren will be encouraged to become Prosiect Zero Super Heroes by learning about the issue and taking positive action at school and at home to help protect the planet for their future.

The project has launched on the first day of COP26, a global summit for climate action being hosted over the next two weeks in the UK.

COP26 brings world leaders together to address climate change, limit global warming and cut carbon emissions as part of co-ordinated actions.

In February 2019, Carmarthenshire County Council was one of the first local authorities to declare a climate emergency, and made a commitment to becoming a net zero carbon local authority by 2030. It has since been the first local authority in Wales to publish a net zero carbon action plan, which was endorsed by full council in February 2020.

Prosiect Zero Sir Gâr will raise awareness about what the council is already doing and to mobilise more action from staff, residents, businesses and schools.

Cllr Ann Davies, who holds the Cabinet portfolio for climate change said this is an opportunity for everyone to get involved in making real change for the good of future generations.

“We must all take action now - climate change is already having an impact in Carmarthenshire,” she said.

“Every one of us can make a difference. It could be as simple as turning our thermostats down a degree, switching off our lights when they’re not needed, or recycling as much as we possibly can.

“By launching Prosiect Zero Sir Gâr we want to inspire collective action. The smallest of actions will build together to make a big difference."

The authority is also working with other public bodies to deliver wider change, and is exploring opportunities for tree planting and renewable energy generation on council-owned land.

For more information visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/ProsiectZeroSirGar.