​Today The Citizen, Echo, Forester, Stroud Life and Thisisgloucestershire are issuing a rallying cry to the people of Gloucestershire.

Will you pledge to cut 10 per cent of your carbon emissions in 2010?

A national campaign is underway to encourage people, businesses and organisations to make 2010 the year they start thinking about - and operating - in a more sustainable way.

We can't change the world but we can change Gloucestershire and bring economic, social and health benefits for the county today and for future generations.

As part of our campaign, we will be producing 10 dedicated supplements throughout 2010 and regular coverage on TiG and in our newspapers about how you can get involved.

Yesterday saw the official launch of the campaign at the University of Gloucestershire’s Oxstalls Campus, where four top names in the field of sustainability addressed politicians, residents and business leaders from across the county.

One of the speakers was Heath Avery Architects managing director – and green champion – Sarah Daly, who wants to make Gloucestershire a low-carbon county.

Sarah said: “The idea for this really came about after I realised nothing was happening at the Copenhagen talks.

“This is about us making things happen in our county.

“The whole thing is about communication. There’s no formal group or organisation, it’s about tapping in to groups as part of this amazing national campaign.

“There’s an amazing amount of talent in this county, and that’s what we need to tap into to get things done.

“We’ve got to start working together. I think change can happen, but we need local action.”

The gathering also heard from Amy Fetzer, a consultant, freelance journalist and co-author of “Climb the Green Ladder: Make Your Company and Career More Sustainable”.

She said: “I believe we all have the power to make changes here in Gloucestershire.

“I’m looking forward to finding out how it goes, so you go out there and change Gloucestershire.”

Eugenie Harvey, director of the national 10:10 campaign, has also praised Gloucestershire’s effort.

She said: “I really just wanted to thank you for your support and wish you luck, on behalf of my small team. We were so pleased to hear that Gloucestershire was signing up.”

Environmental campaigner Jonathon Porritt is backing the Gloucestershire 10:10 Campaign.

The environmentalist, writer and popular blogger, who attended yesterday’s launch, said the county should focus on the positive impacts of sustainable living

He said: “We don’t have to justify what we need to do, we just need to do it.

“It’s not that we have to turn ourselves into mad anti-growth activists. What we are talking about it bounded growth.

“We’ve got to get better at reminding people that this is an agenda driven by its upside, not by its bad side.”

He also described the recent failure to reach a significant agreement at the Copenhagen talks as “shocking”.

Taking questions at the launch, Mr Porritt was asked why there was no support in place for the construction industry, with more and more pressure to make existing homes more efficient.

He explained the process of “retrofitting” older homes and government support for carrying it out, was being overshadowed by an “obsession” with new housing.

He said: “It’s amazing that the Government seems to still be obsessed with new build, when there’s the issue of the existing homes.

“The thing is, we had this £12.5billion VAT saving last year, and what I want to know it why that wasn’t used to carry out £12.5billion worth of retrofitting?

“Instead, we’ve got absolutely nothing.”

Individuals, businesses, schools and community groups can all sign up to the campaign online at www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/1010.

We want to hear from anyone who has signed up, or any business which has already seen successes and savings from cutting out the CO2, for case studies in the supplements.

There will also be more coverage over the next two days in The Citizen and Gloucestershire Echo.

Contact Environment Reporter Freddie Whittaker on 01452 420687 or freddie.whittaker@glosmedia.co.uk or editorial co-ordinator Matt Holmes on 01452 420601, matt.holmes@glosmedia.co.uk