Proposed by Cllr Daniel
“This Council has formally recognised the climate and biodiversity emergency (May 2019,) has signed The Devon Climate Declaration (July 2019) and has a Climate Change and Biodiversity Strategy WDBC Climate Strategy.
This Council is committed to actions to change behaviour to address the causes of this situation and mitigate the impacts.
In line with the above, this Council supports the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill proposed by a coalition of scientists, academics and lawyers with the aim of bringing the UK’s climate policy into one with evolving scientific evidence. This proposed Bill is also supported by 110 cross-party members of parliament. Nationally we need a strong legislative framework that embeds the Government’s targets in law, enabling us as supportive players, to plan and develop our future trajectories, to fit in with those targets.
Council therefore resolves to:
i. Support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill
ii. Inform the local media of their decision.
iii. Write to local MPs, asking them to support the Bill.
iv. Write to the CEE Bill Alliance, the organisers of the campaign for the Bill, expressing its support (campaign@ceebill.uk).”
Minutes:
CM.38/21
It was moved by Cllr L Daniel and seconded by Cllr L Wood:
“This Council has formally recognised the climate and biodiversity emergency (May 2019), has signed The Devon Climate Declaration (July 2019) and has a Climate Change and Biodiversity Strategy WDBC Climate Strategy.
This Council is committed to actions to change behaviour to address the causes of this situation and mitigate the impacts.
In line with the above, this Council supports the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill proposed by a coalition of scientists, academics and lawyers with the aim of bringing the UK’s climate policy into one with evolving scientific evidence. This proposed Bill is also supported by 110 cross-party members of parliament. Nationally we need a strong legislative framework that embeds the Government’s targets in law, enabling us as supportive players, to plan and develop our future trajectories, to fit in with those targets.
Council therefore resolves to:
i. Support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill
ii. Inform the local media of their decision.
iii. Write to local MPs, asking them to support the Bill.
iv. Write to the CEE Bill Alliance, the organisers of the campaign for the Bill, expressing its support (campaign@ceebill.uk).”
In her introduction, Cllr Daniel made particular reference to the petition that had been submitted by the CEE Bill Alliance and the contents of the supporting statement (Minute CM.37/21 above refers). As the Bill was making its way through Parliamentary processes, Cllr Daniel hoped that the Council would provide its full backing by virtue of supporting her Motion on Notice.
During the ensuing debate, the following points were raised:
(a) In recognition of the Emergency declared by the Borough Council in May 2019, a number of Members reiterated their ongoing commitment to the Climate Change and Biodiversity agenda;
(b) Some concerns were highlighted over aspects of the CEE Bill that included:
- the proposed establishment of an unaccountable Citizens’ Assembly; and
- the potential for political confusion in light of the Government’s Environment Bill;
(c) An amendment was PROPOSED and SECONDED that read as follows:
“This Council has formally recognised the climate and biodiversity emergency (May 2019), has signed The Devon Climate Declaration (July 2019) and has a Climate Change and Biodiversity Strategy WDBC Climate Strategy.
This Council is committed to actions to change behaviour to address the causes of this situation and mitigate the impacts.
In line with the above, this Council supports the need for a strong legislative framework that embeds the Government’s targets in law, enabling us as supportive players, to plan and develop our future trajectories, to fit in with those targets.
Council therefore resolves to:
i. Support the Government’s Environment Bill
ii. Inform the local media of their decision.
iii. Write to local MPs, asking them to support the Bill.
iv. Continue to support Devon County Council through the Devon Climate Emergency Partnership.”
In support of the amendment, Members felt that it recognised the steps that had already been undertaken by both the Council and Devon County Council and, when put to the vote, the amendment was declared CARRIED.
It was then “RESOLVED that this Council has formally recognised the climate and biodiversity emergency (May 2019,) has signed The Devon Climate Declaration (July 2019) and has a Climate Change and Biodiversity Strategy WDBC Climate Strategy.
This Council is committed to actions to change behaviour to address the causes of this situation and mitigate the impacts.
In line with the above, this Council supports the need for a strong legislative framework that embeds the Government’s targets in law, enabling us as supportive players, to plan and develop our future trajectories, to fit in with those targets.
Council therefore resolves to:
i. Support the Government’s Environment Bill
ii. Inform the local media of their decision.
iii. Write to local MPs, asking them to support the Bill.
iv. Continue to support Devon County Council through the Devon Climate Emergency Partnership.”