TACKLING climate change in Norfolk will top the agenda of a summit this week, broadcast live on the internet to enable the public to take part.Around 150 delegates from all walks of county life will be at the Norfolk County Strategic Partnership (NCSP) annual conference at the King's Centre in Norwich on Friday.

TACKLING climate change in Norfolk will top the agenda of a summit this week, broadcast live on the internet to enable the public to take part.

Around 150 delegates from all walks of county life will be at the Norfolk County Strategic Partnership (NCSP) annual conference at the King's Centre in Norwich on Friday.

The session will seek views on a climate change action plan for the county - Tomorrow's Norfolk, Today's Challenge - from a mix of business leaders, voluntary groups, politicians and members of the Youth Parliament.

And the public will also be able to engage online by logging on to the webcast greenstrategyconference. norfolk.gov.uk.

Daniel Cox, NCSP chairman and leader of Norfolk County Council, said: “We need to get the whole Norfolk community mobilised if we are to make real progress in minimising the impact of climate change, and in preparing for the global warming that is already unavoidable. This conference brings together people representing many different organisations and interests. It is another step in making climate change a common cause for all Norfolk people.”

Key speakers include Penney Poyzer, a journalist, author, speaker, trainer and broadcaster who has worked in the green sector for over 10 years; and Simon Gerrard, from the Carbon Reduction Initiative

The event will also include a Norfolk climate change quiz, and a 'pledge tree' where delegates will be able to post their behaviour change pledges in response to climate change and the need to cut CO2 emissions.

Ironically, the meeting comes amid a political row among county councillors over whether council reports should rate the carbon impact of proposed policies.

Currently council reports contain brief assessments of the impact of policies on finances and youth crime - and opposition councillors wanted this extended to include carbon emissions.

But the ruling Tory cabinet has rejected the idea as a “tick-box exercise” and said the authority should be judged on its actions instead.

Yesterday, Labour, Lib Dems and Greens all pressed the Conservatives for a rethink during a full county council meeting.

Green councillor Andrew Boswell said: “The whole point is that it needs to go beyond a tick-box exercise. It's a very valuable indicator for all of us making decisions if we can have that. It should have had four-party support in the first place - there shouldn't be a big issue about this and I'm sure there are members in the Conservative Party who would support this.”