Cornwall urged to 'heed the warning' in new climate change crisis report
Council leaders say we must take action now to lower emissions and build a greener future
Cornwall is being told that we must 'heed the warnings on global warming' and take action now to lower emissions and build a greener, more prosperous future for all.
Cornwall Council’s cabinet member for climate change, Martyn Alvey, was speaking following the publication of this week’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s report.
It concludes: “Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, human influence on the climate system is clear, and limiting climate change will require substantial and sustained reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.”
Cornish charity Surfers Against Sewage has also been urging people to act now following the new report.
Cornwall Council says it is a leading authority in its nationally-acclaimed response to the climate crisis outlined in its climate change action plan to help Cornwall strive towards reaching net-zero carbon emission levels by 2030.
Among its ambitious projects are the carbon-capturing Forest for Cornwall and nature recovery plans; a homes retrofitting scheme to improve energy efficiency, new electric vehicle charging infrastructure; an overhaul of planning polices to promote sustainable development; and investment in deep geothermal heat and power projects, floating offshore wind power and Cornwall’s first smart grid-connected wind turbine.
Since the pandemic the Council has accelerated its proposals to lower carbon emissions as part of a green recovery to bring environmental, social and economic benefits to residents.
The unitary authority also sits on the UK COP26 Advisory Panel – the only rural council to do so – which is shaping the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference being held this November in Glasgow.
World leaders are set to discuss the findings of the IPCC report at the historic conference and make urgent recommendations for the planet to tackle rising sea levels.
Cllr Alvey said: “The effects of climate change we are already experiencing require us to adapt to protect our communities from the impact of extreme weather events and sea level rises. The IPCC lays out the science of how devastating climate change will continue to be if we don’t act to reduce damaging carbon emissions. We welcome the urgency of the issues it highlights and the need for us to take action now.
“In Cornwall we have developed an ambitious and comprehensive programme to lower carbon emissions and create a green recovery that brings lasting benefits to our residents.
“We are showing strong leadership on climate action and we are playing a vital role in showing the world, firstly through the G7 summit and now through the UK COP26 Advisory Panel, how we are driving forwards a green and resilient recovery led by sustainable growth and low carbon practices.
“Our success in meeting climate targets will depend on all of us - governments, businesses, communities and individuals - taking action and support being given to people who will be impacted the most by the effects of climate change. ”
Cornwall Council has recently launched a Crowdfunder campaign to attract donations for projects helping Cornwall achieve its carbon-reducing goal, whether by promoting sustainable choices and behavioural change, creating new opportunities for renewable energy, supporting climate resilient communities and spaces or promoting the removal of carbon from the atmosphere through nature-based solutions.
The Love Where You Are campaign uses QR codes that can be scanned and take you to the Crowdfunder page.