(i) Climate Change

In accordance with Rule No 13.1, Councillor P. Peacock will move and Councillor Mrs D. Cumberlidge, will second a motion to the following effect:

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 1.5°C. 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.[1] The increased frequency and intensity of weather events that we have experienced locally highlight why this is such an important issue for Newark and Sherwood District 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 Newark and Sherwood District Council in assisting Governments to achieve their carbon emission savings.

Newark and Sherwood District Council therefore:

· Declares a Climate Emergency;

· Notes that we need to develop measures and set targets to contribute to the challenge of keeping global temperature rises below 1.5°C; and

· Will take the following measures:

(a) to establish a Newark and Sherwood District Climate Change working group to respond to this challenge, that meets in public with wide representation including from all party groups;

(b) set a target for Newark and Sherwood District to be carbon neutral and develop an action plan by the end of 2020 that will achieve this;

(c) to provide a Climate Change impact assessment on every decision the council makes, within every service review undertaken and every planning application considered;

(d) to work with other local authorities and public, private and voluntary sector partners on carbon reduction projects;

(e) to lobby the Government for the necessary resources and powers so that Newark and Sherwood District Council can make its contribution to the UK’s Carbon Reduction targets; and

(f) to provide and publish an annual review of measures taken by Newark and Sherwood District Council and their impact on the District’s carbon footprint.