Conservative amendment to Labour Motion that was passed:

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This Council notes:

  1. That the impact of climate breakdown is already causing serious damage around the world.
  2. That global temperatures have already increased by 1°C from pre-industrial levels and atmospheric CO2 far exceeds levels deemed to be safe for humanity.
  3. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) “Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C”, warns of the enormous harm that a rise in global temperatures of 2oC will do compared with a rise of 1.5oC and states that limiting Global Warming to 1.5°C may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society, the private sector, indigenous peoples and local communities.
  4. That global temperatures are on track to increase by over 1.5°C before 2050 and preventing this from happening must be humanity’s number one priority.

This Council further notes that:

  1. The UK is responsible for 1% of the world’s CO2 emissions, and whilst UK emissions have reduced by more than any other developed country, global action is needed to ensure success.
  2. New Zealand, France, Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden have all committed to zero carbon by 2050 as recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
  3. The IPCC has also acknowledged the need to act urgently to reduce the amount of carbon emissions by 2030.
  4. The UK Parliament has declared a climate emergency
  5. Gloucestershire County Council has endorsed the Parliamentary declaration and appointed a Cabinet Member with climate change responsibilities.
  6. A growing number of Local Authorities have also declared a climate emergency and begun to take bold action to address the issue, acknowledging that this can also have health, well-being and economic benefits.
  7. Gloucester City Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment holds responsibility for action on climate change

This Council resolves to:

  1. Declare a Climate Emergency and recognise the urgency of the actions needed to tackle the issue
  2. Carry out a Carbon Audit to inform the development of a City Council action plan on climate change to strive to meet the following targets: –

    1. A net-zero city council carbon footprint by no later than 2030 (taking carbon off-setting into account)
    2. A carbon neutral city by 2050
  3. Ensure that strategic plans, budgets, and decisions reflect these targets and that they are appropriately embedded in all areas of the Council’s work.
  4. Task the Cabinet Member for the Environment to present an annual report to Council on performance in delivering the City’s Action Plan on Climate Change.
  5. Task the Overview and Scrutiny Committee with considering the impact of climate change when scrutinising Council strategies, policies and plans, including scrutiny of the annual performance report on delivery of the City’s action plan on Climate Change.
  6. Work with partners across the City and County to support the delivery of the City’s action plan on climate change and contribute to the development and delivery of the equivalent plans of our partners.
  7. Lobby national government and local MPs to commit to 100% UK carbon neutrality by 2050 and provide additional powers and resources to deliver the 2030 and 2050 targets.