About SELCAN
Recognising that we face an emergency in which global heating presents a grave threat to the survival of human civilisation, SELCAN was formed, in July 2022, with the explicit aim to bring together private, public and community sectors across South and East Lincolnshire to tackle climate change. We’re aiming to drive strategic thinking and promote the delivery of on-the-ground projects to reduce carbon emissions and increase climate resilience across South Holland, Boston and East Lindsey.
By working together, a more sustainable future can be built across our region. SELCAN will act as a forum for sharing ideas and best practice and encouraging collaboration across our communities on projects that lead to carbon reduction and adaptation to the impacts of climate change. We’re encouraging a shared ownership and responsibility of the challenges associated with climate change and we want to empower local stakeholders and communities to be part of the solution to the social, economic and environmental challenges posed by climate change.
Who are we?
SELCAN is an independent body which owns, monitors and reviews progress against the South and East Lincolnshire Climate Change Strategy.
We have equal membership from the public, private and third sectors from across the partnership region, each with various skills and attributes needed to make SELCAN a success. For more information on the members of SELCAN, please see our bio page.
The Chair of SELCAN is currently Councillor Graham Marsh.
You can find a copy of the Terms of Reference to SELCAN, here.
Our Vision
The UK Government has set a target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Our vision and aim are to achieve net zero emissions in advance of this and make the region more resilient to the impacts of climate change. In doing so, our actions will support social, economic, and environmental outcomes that will help our region mitigate and adapt to climate change. Together, we’re building a more sustainable future for all our local residents and communities to thrive in.
Defining Net Zero
Net Zero means achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse emissions produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. Carbon Dioxide in the air has risen from about 270 parts per million before the industrial revolution, to 424ppm today. ‘Net zero’ would mean stabilising at current levels but does not mean that the planet will stop heating. For that we need to reduce the CO2 level, going below ‘net zero’, by taking CO2 out of the air, sequestering the carbon.
SELCAN location coverage.
Defining Mitigation
Mitigation means taking those actions that reduce global heating and the consequent climate change. This involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible, and then investing in activities that remove CO2 from the air, such as forestry and other land uses that sequester carbon. Doing more to remove harmful greenhouse gases that cause heating will result in having to adapt less in the future.
Defining Adaptation
Adaptation means the need to adjust our social, ecological or economic systems to respond to the effects of climate change and moderate or reduce potential harm or damage. If implemented well, adaptation practices can bring opportunities and benefits to communities. More trees, with more space for wildlife, cleaner air and rivers, improved public transport, fewer polluting cars, more comfortable and cheaper to run homes, etc., are all benefits of the mitigation and adaptation actions we need to get on with. It’s not all doom!