Cheltenham's businesses, community groups and public sector will come together to help meet the town's carbon neutral goals, as part of an innovative new partnership.

Vision 21 and Cheltenham Borough Council have this week agreed to form the Cheltenham Zero Partnership, which will help lead the charge for the borough's aim for carbon neutrality by 2030.

Businesses and community groups are encouraged to show their commitment and sign up at www.vision21.org.uk/cheltenhamzero.

The partnership aims to establish a strong network, and provide brand new opportunities between businesses, community groups and the public sector. Twenty-six organisations have already pledged support prior to the formal launch, following the Cheltenham Climate Conferences earlier this year.

Cllr Max Wilkinson, cabinet member for climate emergency, said: "The climate emergency poses an unacceptable risk globally and also locally to the future of our environment, our livelihoods, our homes and our town. We need to take action now.

"But the council cannot do this alone, so we recognise that we have to bring people together to solve some very challenging problems.

"We know this will be difficult and we won't always agree, but we can only make progress by working together.''

Dave Entwistle, chief executive at Vision21, said: "The situation is critical, but not terminal, and we need to take action before it becomes too late. This partnership will provide an opportunity for everyone living, working in or visiting Cheltenham to do something positive to combat global warming and adapt to climate change.

"The warming has already reached 1.2oC and it will be difficult to keep it below 1.5oC. So, I would like to encourage as many businesses, public services and community organisations as possible to pledge their support and co-operation. Together we can cut our carbon and help the town to become more sustainable.''

The partnership's members will look at all aspects of environmental policy, including transport, energy generation, energy efficiency and biodiversity.