COP26: Cornwall receives 'call to arms' on final day of climate change summit
Cornwall Chamber of Commerce is urging businesses to go beyond just environmental action plans
Last updated 12th Nov 2021
As COP26 draws to a close, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce is calling on businesses to be part of the climate crisis long term solution and ACT NOW.
The organisation is asking Cornish businesses to go beyond environmental action plans to help reach our target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
The chamber says firms and companies need to work together to get things moving, both across the public and private sectors.
'Call to arms to businesses and the Cornish community'
Chief Executive of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, Kim Conchie, said: "It’s not just luck that Cornwall is the most collaborative county in terms of meaningful private and public sector connections.
"We’ve got a strong history of working together for the force of good and now, more than ever, is the time to bring our united spirit to the fore and find proactive solutions to the climate crisis.
"This is a call to arms to businesses, stakeholders and the Cornish community. There is no time to waste. Action is needed.
"I urge our member businesses and beyond to not just create environmental action plans, but to get things moving – together we can reach Cornwall’s pledge to be carbon natural by 2030".
Ahead of the COP26 conference, the man in charge of the environment and climate change in Cornwall has called on residents to do their bit to reduce their carbon footprint.
Councillor Martyn Alvey has shared how he is working to cut his own carbon emissions, as part of the council's pledge to become carbon neutral by 2030.
Martin is using an electric bike, reducing energy consumption in the home and buying more locally sourced food, among other lifestyle changes.
He said: "In working towards net zero we appreciate that it’s not something that Cornwall Council can do alone but it relies on everyone living in Cornwall to play their part.
"In various ways I hope to be able to encourage the residents of Cornwall to do their bit for climate change.
"For example, at the moment I’m making my way through 10 pledges that have been set by an organisation called Climate Vision that show 10 simple things that I as an individual can do to reduce my carbon footprint".
Cllr Alvey added: “We need everyone to commit to act on climate change and create further momentum for action here in Cornwall.
"As the United Nations meet at COP26 to accelerate world action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement, we want our event to bring residents, businesses, local councils and community groups together to address the question ‘when everything is so global, what can I do?’."
A draft document outlining the agreements made at COP26 was published on Friday, but it appears to have backed away from a call to end incentives to use fossil fuels.
The deal wants countries to "phase out inefficient" subsidies and the "unabated" use of coal-fuelled power stations.
World leaders have until tonight (12th November) to reach an agreement on limiting global warming.