Small changes in our daily lives at home and work can reduce our impact on the planet. Damage to our environment; affecting air, water and land quality can be decreased, for example, by recycling more, buying sustainable products and being energy efficient. In order to reduce environmental damage caused by human activity we need to know how our actions affect the environment and how we can change.

Environment City supports and develops city wide and council activities to promote best environmental practice. We do this by contributing to national policy on sustainable development and by influencing local strategies; and delivering the Nottingham Declaration for Climate Change which commits the authority to work with partners to reduce  its own and city wide green house gas emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate change.

Within Leeds we produce publications to raise environmental awareness. We work closely with schools, businesses, developers and community groups to inform people how they can reduce their environmental impact and contribute to dealing with climate change

We believe in leading by example so our duties also include co-ordinating a council-wide environmental management system (EMAS) which monitors and improves the council's environmental performance through such things as reducing our own waste and conserving energy.

For more information on the main areas in which we work follow the links below.

• Managing the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) and producing the annual Environmental Statement
• Developing a city wide Climate Change Strategy and action plan in partnership with the Leeds Initiative
• Providing support to the Leeds Climate Change Strategy Group, part of the Leeds Initiative. Working on projects such as the development of a State of the Environment Report for Leeds and producing the Environment Leeds newsletter
• Contributing to sustainable economic development by supporting sustainable development initiatives particularly in Holbeck Urban Village and the Aire Valley
• Leading on the corporate trade waste contract achieving savings by championing waste reduction, re-use and recycling opportunities and helping to ensure legal requirements are met.
• In partnership with the Procurement Unit developing a Passport to the Environment. This is a guide to environmental issues for businesses and organisations that are carrying out work on behalf of Leeds City Council.

For further information contact us:
Environment City Manager
Sustainable Development Unit
Development Department
The Leonardo Building
2 Rossington Street
Leeds LS2 8HD
Tel: 0113 24 74836
Fax: 0113 22 43961