Cumbria Vision, the economic partnership for Cumbria, has commissioned a study to asses the county's carbon footprint.

It has tasked consultancy firm Quantum to help develop a masterplan that meet the challenges of the Stern Review and climate change legislation.

The study will calculate Cumbria's emissions both in terms of sector and economic activity. It will then identify how to reduce emissions and how the region can promote itself as a green tourism destination.

Andrew Clegg, who is managing the Cumbria study, said: "It's common knowledge that climate change is one of the most important global challenges of the 21st century.

"In practice, many of the solutions will be found in the field of economics, and developing workable policy options is certainly one of the most exciting areas of opportunity for the modern economist."

Cumbria Vision is charged with planning the county's economic strategy by working with partner organisations.

Its ultimate aim is to make Cumbria attractive to inward investment and to maintain the county's status as a world-class holiday hotspot.