The Ecological Footprint Policy Group supports the commitment of the Diamonds to lead the South East in addressing climate change and achieving sustainable economic development within environmental limits, focused on the regional target to stabilise, then reduce, the South East's Ecological Footprint. The background paper 'Achieving the Triple Dividend' sets out the rationale and approach to this initiative, including the initial component targets agreed for energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

To reduce the burden on individual local authorities and to promote a consistent approach across the Diamonds, the Ecological Footprint Policy Group has commissioned generic guidance material to help the Diamonds' local authorities in developing and delivering action plans to stabilise Ecological Footprint. This support material is provided through a web-based 'no-nonsense' guide which aims to:

• help Council leaders and other busy top decision-takers in the South East Diamonds develop effective strategy to reduce their carbon footprint and ecological footprint
• signpost practical in-depth expertise to help practitioners deliver this strategy
• help to identify any further support the Diamonds will need to stabilise Ecological Footprint and to achieve the component targets

The webguide is designed to help readers to access the material at different levels, from quick overview to strategic decision-making, through to practical detail. There is an opportunity for users to give feedback, to raise queries and to offer additional material, eg, on best practice; in this way, the webguide provides a dynamic resource, which will be improved and developed through the practical experience and expertise of its users.

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The work of the group is guided by a series of objectives and supporting indicators, agreed by the Diamonds Board in March 2008. The Board paper summarising this work, and accompanying presentation, can be found here:

• Board Paper (pdf)
• Presentation by Oona Muirhead (2.5mb pdf)