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The following motion was passed by 43 votes with 1 abstention.

Council notes that:

(a)          the recent 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report states that we have just 12 years to act on climate change if global temperature rises are to be kept within the recommended 1.5 degrees Celsius;

(b)          all governments (national, regional and local) have a duty to limit the negative impacts on climate breakdown, and the governments that recognise this should not wait for their national governments to change their policies. UK county, district and city councils need to commit to aggressive reduction targets and carbon neutrality as quickly as possible;

(c)          districts are well placed to lead the world in reducing carbon emissions, as their responsibility for planning policies opens up a range of sustainable transport, buildings and energy opportunities;In light of the above, the Council therefore agrees to:

(1)          Join other councils in declaring a Climate Emergency;

(2)          Ask the Leader to write to the Secretary of State requesting that they provide the necessary powers and resources to make local action on climate change easier;

(3)          Request that, in light of the IPCC report, officers review the council’s Climate Change Policy with the aim of bringing a report to Council in autumn of 2019, after consideration by Overview and Scrutiny. The review should include an action plan to achieve a target of zero carbon emissions by 2030 and proposals for regular reporting to Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the progress with the plan;

(4)          Ask officers to ensure that, as the Council’s policies are routinely reviewed, specific consideration is given to how policies and our related decisions and actions, affect our contribution to climate change, and where necessary, update these policies to reduce our impact wherever possible;

(5)          Ask officers to investigate the most appropriate training for Members and officers about how to promote carbon neutral policies for consideration by Council

(6)          Continue to work with partners across the district, county and wide region to deliver widespread carbon reductions.”