UPDATES

What Calderdale are doing to reduce carbon emissions

Original Motion:

CLIMATE EMERGENCY
The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have warned
that we have 12 years to make the necessary changes to limit a rise in global
temperatures to 1.5c. Failure to act will see a marked increase in sea levels
and flooding, extreme and abrupt changes to weather patterns, crop failures,
extinctions of plant, insect and animal species and global economic disruption
and crisis. The increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events
that we have experienced locally highlight why this is such an important issue
for Calderdale Council to respond to.
At the Global Climate Talks in Poland last December the UK along with over
200 nations agreed action on climate change with a much greater role strongly
implied for Local and Regional Authorities like Calderdale Council in assisting
Governments to achieve their carbon emission savings.
This Council therefore:
– Declares a Climate Emergency;
– Notes that the Council and Borough are on course to meet their 2020
CO2 reduction target of 40%;
– Notes that our current targets are inadequate to respond to the
challenge of keeping global temperature rises below 1.5c.
ThIs Council Requests that:
(a) the Cabinet set up a Calderdale Climate Change Committee to respond to
this challenge, that meets in public with wide representation including from all
party groups;
(b) the Cabinet through this Committee sets a new target and action plan for
Calderdale to be carbon neutral;
(c) resolves to work with other local authorities and West Yorkshire Combined
Authority on carbon reduction projects to ensure the UK is able to deliver on its
climate commitments; and
(d) Council calls on the Government to provide the resources and powers so
that Calderdale can make its contribution to the Uk’s Carbon Reduction targets.