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RESOLVED that on the successful motion by Councillor King and duly
seconded by Councillor Mason that:
This Council notes:
1. Humans have already caused irreversible climate change, the
impacts of which are being felt on communities, natural habitats,
and biodiversity levels around the world. Global temperatures
have already increased by 1.1 degree Celsius from pre-industrial
levels. This is mainly due to build-up of atmospheric carbon
dioxide levels released by burning fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide
levels are now at 410 ppm (and still increasing) compared to
280ppm before the industrial revolution. If nothing changes this
would lead to temperatures far above those deemed to be safe for
the current global ecosystem and would cause great hardship for
humanity.
2. In order to reduce the chance of runaway global warming and limit
the effects of climate breakdown, it is imperative that we do all we
can reduce our CO2eq (carbon equivalent) emissions from their
current 6.5 tonnes per person per year to less than 2 tonnes as
soon as possible.
3. Society needs to change its laws, taxation, infrastructure, etc., to
make low carbon living easier and the new norm. There is
overwhelming evidence indicating that human activity has resulted
in global climate change that threatens our future and those of
generations to come. It is clear that we must all take significant
steps to address our lifestyles immediately in order to slow and, in
time, reverse this damage. In our position as a local authority, we
have a crucial role to play in leading by example, influencing the
way that the residents and businesses of the Borough live and
work and supporting everyone to make the necessary changes in
their lives and work.

4. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has already shown
foresight and leadership when it comes to addressing the issue of
carbon emissions. The scheme to convert street lamps from
sodium to more efficient LED bulbs will result in the reduction of
carbon emissions by more than 1,000 tonnes every year including
a fall in energy consumption of more than 50%, our Greenhouse
Gas emissions have already been reduced by 13.2% from 2016/7,
this council has improved the energy efficiency of its buildings
and officers are currently working towards signing the UK 100
pledge to meet commitments made both nationally and
internationally at the Paris Summit for 100% clean energy by 2050
and officers are currently supporting the Council to engage in and
explore initiatives including – The ‘RE100’ – a voluntary initiative
led by The Climate Group where organisations commit to sourcing
their supply of electricity by renewables, The ‘UK100’ – another
voluntary initiative led by a network of local government leaders
across the UK looking to move the borough to 100% clean energy
by 2050 and The ‘Emissions Reduction Pledge 2020’ – a voluntary
initiative led by UK Government and targeting a reduction in all
greenhouse gas emissions of 30% by 2020/21 (compared to a
2009/10 baseline).
5. Unfortunately, these plans and actions are not enough as the
world is already on track to overshoot the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C
limit before 2050.

6. The IPCC’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C, published
in Autumn 2018, describes the enormous harm that a 2°C rise is
likely to cause compared to a 1.5°C rise, and reported that limiting
global warming to 1.5°C may still be possible with ambitious action
from all citizens and authorities.
7. Councils around the world are responding by declaring a ‘Climate
Emergency’ and committing resources to address this emergency,
and at least 12 Councils in the UK have passed motions declaring
a Climate Emergency.
This Council acknowledges that:

It is proud of the work undertaken by Officers and Members in recent
years to start to address the causes and impact of Climate Change in the
Borough and beyond. However, there is much more that needs to be
done and the Council knows that effective action to address these issues
will take time to implement. We cannot expect residents to change their
habits if we are not prepared to lead by example in the fight against
climate change and the resulting habitat and biodiversity loss for the sake
of everyone in the Borough both now and in the future.

All governments (national, regional and local) have a duty to limit the
negative impacts of climate breakdown, habitat destruction and
biodiversity loss and that Local Governments should not rely on national
Government instruction to change their policies. It is important for the
residents of Redcar and Cleveland and the rest of the UK that
communities commit to carbon neutrality as soon as possible.
The consequences of global temperature rising above 1.5°C are so
severe that preventing this from happening should be humanity’s number
one priority.
Bold climate action can deliver benefits to the local, national and
international community and improved well-being for people and wildlife
worldwide.
This Council resolves to:
1. Declare a ‘Climate Emergency’;
2. Pledge to take action with a view to making the Borough of Redcar
and Cleveland carbon neutral by 2030, taking into account both
production and consumption emissions;
3. Recognises that to achieve this national government must provide
the powers and resources to make the 2030 target possible. This
must include protecting our manufacturing industry and associated
jobs by facilitating an industrial Carbon Capture Storage and
Utilisation (CCSU) network in our Borough including:
• Backing the development of the clean gas low-carbon
electricity generation project at the South Tees Development
Corporation by providing the necessary support and funding, in
particular by agreeing a Contract For Difference (CFD) to
provide the clear, stable and predictable revenue that is
needed to make this project viable.
• Putting the necessary legislation in place to make the transport
and storage infrastructure for carbon sequestration a nationally
regulated asset (like the national grid) to ensure the risks of
setting up and running a CCSU network are properly managed
and owned.
4. Work with other local and regional Governments (both within the
UK and internationally) to determine and implement best practice
methods to limit Global Warming to less than 1.5C;
5. Continue to work with partners across the Borough, region and
neighbouring authorities to deliver this new goal through all
relevant strategies and plans; and,
6. Report to the Borough Council within six months with the actions
the Council will take to play its part in addressing this emergency.