New Forest District Council declare climate and nature emergency
It was recommended by it's cabinet last week
New Forest District Council have declared a climate and nature emergency for the region.
It was recommended to do so by it's cabinet last week and it was confirmed at their full council meeting last night (Monday 11th October).
A Sustainability Advisory Member Panel will now set actions to address the climate and nature emergency and will present a report to full Council in February 2022.
Cllr Edward Heron, Leader, said:
“In itself, declaring a climate emergency does nothing, it's what you then do. But this is a clear signal that we consider it of such importance that we will be building on the climate change actions already underway and taking a more fundamental look at our activities, with the target of reducing carbon emissions along with an ambitious action plan being put in place to measure annual district-wide progress.
“We have a strong track record in our sustainability and environment stewardship. We have engaged in climate change actions for many years and, through policies and activities, have made the district more resilient, reduced carbon emissions, created space for nature, and provided the infrastructure to enable others to make choices that reduce emissions. Going forward, we will be taking more actions in every area of our day-to-day activities, in our operations, our civic buildings and depots, improving our natural environment to support nature recovery, as well as gaining a better understanding and measurement of what the issues are and what our actions are achieving."
The plans suggested by the cabinet outlined the following methods to improve their situation:
- Pledge to make the New Forest district carbon neutral by 2030, taking into account both production and consumption emissions.
- Report to full Council within six months setting out the immediate actions the Council will take to address this emergency and a plan to measure annual district wide progress towards meeting the 2030 target.
- Take into account carbon reduction actions in every aspect of its business
- Work with partners across the district and the region to deliver this new goal through all relevant strategies and plans and drawing on local and global best practice.
- Actively lobby the Government to provide the additional powers and resources needed to meet the 2030 target.
Wiltshire Council declared a climate emergency in February 2019 with the aim of becoming completely carbon neutral by 2030.
They say they are trying a number of different methods to help them achieve it.
You can read more on their website.