Launching Merton Lib Dems' "Climate Change Fund" campaign, London Assembly member, Mike Tuffrey, who lives in south-west London, said:

"Man-made climate change is one of the largest threats we face. Merton council has been slow to respond to recent cynicism about what happens to its recycling, and needs to take action to prove its commitment to environmental issues. At a local level, practical action should be taken to reduce the amount of carbon we're pumping into the atmosphere - and there are lots of great examples in London of how this can be done.

"For example, Lib Dem-run Islington council is taking a bold step. It's proposing to invest £3million of grants into visible measures - such as solar panels, wind turbines, biomass boilers and ground source heat pumps - to reduce carbon emissions in Islington. Why couldn't we do something similar in Merton?"

Under the scheme residents, organisations and council teams are able to benefit from extra funding for capital projects that will achieve significant reductions in carbon emissions, either through generating renewable energy, or green transport. In addition, residents who pay their council tax are offered a £20 discount if they pay by direct debit - they can then choose to keep the discount or donate it back to the fund - and so far 1300 have done so.

This is part of Islington's scheme to agree with businesses, organisations and residents to reduce their own emissions. By providing strong leadership on this issue, they are encouraging others to take part.