COMMUTERS across the Barrow area are being encouraged to car share to help the climate.

It is one of a number of suggestions coming from a council working group which is drawing up a list of initiatives for a new plan to tackle climate change.

Barrow Council declared a 'climate emergency' in summer and plans to ensure the area can play its part in reducing carbon emissions which are responsible for warming up the planet. Other initial ideas for the area include more tree planting and helping community groups get access to tree-planting schemes.

Incentives could be introduced to encourage more cycle ownership, such as discounted purchases, ride-to-work schemes, making more cycle parking facilities available and the council introducing electric vehicles into its transport fleet.

The council's full plan has not yet been finalised but the working group - chaired by Barrow council leader Ann Thomson - has been setting some key priorities and actions.

Cllr Shaun Blezard, a member of the cross-party group, said there was a lot of support and enthusiasm but it did not intend to preach to the public.

He said: "We can all make some changes. It won't about getting rid of all plastic or beating yourself up about it. It will be little things like 'why don't we all share a car' because rather than having four cars all driving, it's better for the environment to have one."

Cllr Blezard,for Dalton South, said the council's carbon footprint would be reduced and initiatives such as more bee-friendly flowers were being explored. e added: "The Woodland Trust has a scheme for community groups where certain areas can get 400 trees to plant, so we will be looking at more trees being planted around the borough. If you plant a young tree, in the first three to four years it gives out more oxygen and takes in more carbon than at any stage of its life."

A BAE Systems spokesman said: "Lift sharing is one of many schemes we operate in an effort to reduce the number of single car journeys to and from our site. The latest available figures show the scheme has so far saved approximately 88,000 miles for employees and around 30 tonnes of C02."