The following Notice of Motion was submitted by Councillor J Hook and supported by Councillors Connett, Dewhirst, Hayes, G Hook, Nutley, Parker and Wrigley.
Background
Council Notes:
1. Humans have already caused irreversible climate change, the impacts of which are being felt around the world. Global temperatures have already increased by 1 degree Celsius from pre-industrial levels.
2. In order to reduce the chance of runaway Global Warming and limit the effects of Climate Breakdown, it is imperative that we as a species reduce our CO2eq (carbon equivalent) emissions from their current 6.5 tonnes per person per year to less than 2 tonnes as soon as possible.
3. Individuals cannot be expected to make this reduction on their own. Society needs to change its laws, taxation, infrastructure, etc., to make low carbon living easier and the new norm;
4. Carbon emissions result from both production and consumption;
5. Our current plans and actions are not enough. The world is on track to overshoot the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degrees Celsius limit before 2050.
6. The IPCC’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius, published in October 2018, describes the enormous harm that a 2 degrees Celsius rise is likely to cause compared to a 1.5 degrees Celsius, and told us that limiting Global Warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society, the private sector, indigenous peoples and local communities.
7. Local Councils around the world are responding by declaring a ‘Climate Emergency’ and committing resources to address this emergency.
Council believes that:
1. All governments (national, regional and local) have a duty to limit the negative impacts of Climate Breakdown, and local governments that recognize this should not wait for their national governments to change their policies. It is important for Teignbridge Council and other Councils to commit to carbon neutrality as quickly as possible.
2. Towns, Cities and Local Authorities at all tiers are uniquely placed to lead the world in reducing carbon emissions; they are well placed to help decarbonize villages and more remote areas as they have closer links with their residents.
3. Bold climate action can deliver economic benefits in terms of new jobs, economic savings and market opportunities, as well as improved personal, social and environmental well-being for people, locally and worldwide.
Motion:
Teignbridge District Council will,
1. Declare a ‘climate emergency’
2. Pledge to do what is within our powers, to make Teignbridge District carbon neutral by 2030, taking into account both production and consumption emissions.
3. Call on Westminster to provide the powers and resources necessary for Teignbridge District to achieve the target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030, and to implement best practice methods to limit global warming to 1.5C.
4. Report to Full Council within six months with an Action Plan, outlining how the Council will address this emergency. The Action Plan will detail the leadership role Teignbridge District will take in promoting community, public, business and other Council partnerships to achieve this Carbon Neutral 2030 Commitment throughout the District. The Action Plan will also outline adequate staff time and resources to undertake the actions to achieve the target.
5. To investigate all possible sources of external funding and match funding to support this commitment
Minutes:
Councillor J Hook in presenting her Notice of Motion stated that Climate Change was the biggest threat to the planet and mankind and it was getting worse. The Council had a responsibility to help to address this major Global issue and should take measures to commit to achieving a Carbon Neutral District by 2030. A task group engaging with the community, businesses and schools should be established and report back to Council within six months with a set of actions to work towards this target. It was imperative that the Council started work towards this target immediately.
With the agreement of at least 2/3rd of the members present at the meeting, the motion was debated immediately.
The Portfolio Holder for Economy Skills & Tourism in seconding the motion commented that with the growing world population and the impact this had on demands on food and travel, there was an urgent need to address climate change. The Council had taken a proactive approach already to reducing energy consumption, using renewable sources and tackling environmental issues.
The Portfolio Holder for Economy Skills & Tourism proposed an amendment that the target date for the Council to be Carbon Neutral be changed from 2030 to 2025. This was agreed by Councillor J Hook.
All Members welcomed this Notice of Motion recognising that whilst the Council and Local Communities had taken steps to address climate change further urgent action was required to tackle this serious problem. During discussion Members acknowledged the requirement to reduce the use of fossil fuels and single use plastics and the need to build zero/low carbon homes.
Councillor J Hook in summarising stated that climate change required action from individuals and well as communities and governments.
The Notice of Motion (as amended) was put to the vote and carried unanimously.
RESOLVED that Teignbridge District Council:-
1. Declare a ‘climate emergency’
2. Pledge to do what is within our powers, to make Teignbridge District carbon neutral by 2025, taking into account both production and consumption emissions.
3. Call on Westminster to provide the powers and resources necessary for Teignbridge District to achieve the target of becoming carbon neutral by 2025, and to implement best practice methods to limit global warming to 1.5C.
4. Report to Full Council within six months with an Action Plan, outlining how the Council will address this emergency. The Action Plan will detail the leadership role Teignbridge District will take in promoting community, public, business and other Council partnerships to achieve this Carbon Neutral 2025 Commitment throughout the District. The Action Plan will also outline adequate staff time and resources to undertake the actions to achieve the target.
5. To investigate all possible sources of external funding and match funding to support this commitment