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IMPORTANT: Maidstone Borough Council passed the @UKLabour climate emergency motion tonight. Upper Stone Street in #Maidstone is one of the most polluted areas in the country. Well done to Labour councillors and others involved.
— Dan Wilkinson (@DanWilkoLab) April 10, 2019
Notice of Motion – Climate Change
Notice of the following motion has been given by Councillor Harper, seconded by Councillor McKay:
This Council notes with concern the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on global climate change impacts* and the recent Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)** reports on global species and habitat loss.
Further to this, Council:
(1) Declares its recognition of global climate and biodiversity emergencies;
(2) Requests the Policy & Resources Committee to:
- undertake a short review of MBC governance policies and progress aimed at addressing locally these twin threats and to report on findings;
- consider a target date of 2030 for the whole of the Borough of Maidstone to be carbon neutral;
- consider how the Council can strengthen local protection and enhancement of species, habitats and ecosystems services under available powers;
(3) Requests the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer stating the concern of the Council with respect to the above, the likely national impact on the economy and on the wellbeing of citizens, and requesting government funding be made available to implement swift appropriate actions in response.
For information:
I am delighted that MBC has declared a climate emergency. Action could be taken with almost immediate effect in one particular area. Having read reports from the ‘Close The Door’ campaign I have learnt the harm that shops, who continually keep their doors open are doing to our environment. I could provide considerable evidence to support this but instead I would urge you to look at their web site. Many leading scientists and politicians support the policy of shops using automatic sliding doors or similar to prevent the considerable co2 emissions on to our streets. The ‘heat curtains that many shops have in place have minimal effect.If shops are left to take this action they may think (wrongly) that it would affect their business. If ALL shops were required to adopt this policy they would at least be playing on an even playing field.
We DO NOT have the time to let companies choose for themselves.