(The following motion was amended before the meeting to include a declaration of a climate emergency)

Mr Mike Goodman (Bagshot, Windlesham and Chobham) to move under standing order 11 as follows:

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement that the UK will eradicate its net contribution to climate change by 2050:

This council notes:

That as the first country in the G7 to legislate for long-term climate targets, the UK already leads the world in tackling climate change
This is not only the right thing to tackle the climate emergency for future generations but a significant opportunity to increase our energy efficiency, improve our resilience and deliver a greener, healthier society.
This council welcomes:

The target of net zero emissions being enshrined in law as soon as possible
That in its report, the Committee on Climate Change forecast significant benefits to public health and savings to the NHS from better air quality and less noise pollution, as well as improved biodiversity
That the UK is on track to become the first G7 country to legislate for net zero emissions, with other major economies expected to follow suit
That for the first time, young people will have the chance to shape our future climate policy through the Youth Steering Group, set up by DCMS and led by the British Youth Council, who will advise Government on priorities for environmental action and give a view on progress to date against existing commitments on climate, waste and recycling, and biodiversity loss.
Therefore, this council resolves to:

commit to working closely with the Government, the Environment Agency, our Borough & District colleagues, local businesses, our residents and other partners in meeting this ambitious target;
deliver a strategy in 2019/20 that clearly outlines how we plan to deliver the target; and
write to the government asking them to confirm what support will be made available to local authorities to help achieve this goal.