Staffordshire Moorlands District Council is set to join a growing list of over 20 countryside authorities working together to tackle climate change by reducing carbon emissions to net zero.

The district council has agreed to join the Countryside Climate Network - a sub-group of the UK:100 network of local government leaders who have pledged to shift to 100% clean energy by 2050.

The network:

• Enables members to share knowledge with each other

• Enables collaboration on developing shared policy objectives to put to the Government and decision makers

• Supports members in building support and consent for ambitious climate action

The membership of the Countryside Climate Network is predominantly rural councils, ensuring that the voice of rural communities is heard as part of the wider UK:100 work, which brings cities and the countryside together.

Councillor Joe Porter, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, said: "Rural communities are at the forefront of both feeling the effects of climate change and taking action to address it. But it is not something that we can do alone.

"The key to actions which will make a difference is working collaboratively with others in our District, our region and across the UK which is why our membership of groups like this is so important.

"We can learn from others and share our successes and, as importantly, speak collectively to amplify the messages and move faster towards our shared goal of using clean energy to help meet net zero carbon emissions targets.

"I'm delighted the Council will join other rural communities from across the country as members of this group and I look forward to the Moorlands reaping the benefits of being part of this network."