What is the Portsmouth Sustainability Action Group?

Following PCAN's extensive lobbying in December 2006, city councillors resolved to set up a group of key stakeholders to lead on climate change policy in Portsmouth. In January 2007 the Portsmouth Sustainability Action Group (PSAG) was formed. This pulls together Portsmouth City Council (chair); major land owners and employers in the City such as the University, the MOD, NHS Trust and Gunwharf Quays; and voluntary groups such as PCAN, Groundworks and Friends of the Earth.

PSAG’s stated primary role is to:

• Lead on a coordinated approach to the mitigation and adaptation of climate change in Portsmouth
• Advise member organisations on the mitigation and adaptation of climate change in Portsmouth
• Provide a strategic overview of major projects carried out by member organisations addressing the mitigation and adaptation of climate change in Portsmouth
• Take action within member’s own organisations to address climate change and reduce carbon emissions
• Recommend the top priorities for the mitigation and adaptation of climate change in Portsmouth, and suggest and continually review possible resources to achieve them
• Monitor and review the achievement of the agreed top priorities for the mitigation and adaptation of climate change in Portsmouth
• Report to the City Council Executive on the progress of achieving the identified top climate change priorities
• Produce a coordinated carbon emissions reduction policy for Portsmouth in line with Government targets i.e 60% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050
• Monitor and review the coordinated carbon emissions reduction policy and report to the Executive on progress
• Produce guiding principles and common goals for all organisations in Portsmouth to reduce their carbon emissions

Since 2007, PCAN members have been attending PSAG meetings regularly and have participated in drawing up the Portsmouth Climate Strategy

PSAG’s role of monitoring the steps towards achieving these targets is of course also a priority for PCAN.

To find out more about PSAG and to see minutes of their meetings