(1) The position statement, evidence base for change and proposed next steps outlined in the report were noted.
(2) The evidence base provided to support the negotiation of a regional carbon reduction target was noted.
(3) A ‘climate emergency’ requiring urgent action was declared, and it was agreed to receive a further report at the next meeting on 26 July with a proposed regional target for carbon reduction and a report to a meeting in the Autumn setting out a practical action plan for delivery.
(3) The proposed next step to begin a rapid programme of engagement to develop a collaborative action plan which brought the region together in both headline targets and practical actions on the ground was endorsed.
(4) Member council officers were to be asked to support the development of this work as part of a collective re-fresh of the environmental portfolio and greater regional momentum on next steps
Press Release:
Today – the West Midlands Metro Mayor – Andy Street, and all the members of the West Midlands Combined Authority – representing an area covered 3 Local Enterprise Partnerships, 19 local councils, and over 4 million people – voted cross-party and unanimously for a) Recognising a Climate Emergency, b) agreeing a shared target in July (our draft work suggests 2041 for net zero) c) working on a shared regional level action plan for the first actions to be agreed in Autumn 2019. To reach this point has involved a range of officers, politicians, partner organisations, communities and activists. Prior to the decision the Mayor and leaders invited Youth Strike for Climate representatives to speak to the Board about why this was important. They made a clear argument and offer to help as we begin to refine our next steps
