Agenda item

By Councillor Joe Lever

The impacts of irreversible Climate Change are being felt across the UK and around the world. Global temperatures have increased by over 1 degree Celsius from pre-industrial levels. Without significant and sustained action, the world is set to exceed the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit by 2040. Therefore, the current UK target of net zero carbon by 2050 is too little too late.

 

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, limiting heating to 1.5°C may still be possible with significant and immediate action from national and local authorities such as the Isle of Wight, as well as wider society. Investing now would not only help avoid a cataclysmic climate and ecological tipping point but can also bring many benefits in the form of good jobs, breathable towns and thriving communities.

 

Council notes that: 

  1. Many local authorities are playing an important role in the UK taking action to achieve net zero carbon 
  2. The Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill currently before Parliament states that the UK Government must develop an emergency strategy that: 
  1. requires that the UK plays its fair and proper role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with at least a 66% chance of limiting heating to 1.5oC above pre-industrial temperatures;
  2. ensures that all the UK’s consumption emissions are accounted for, including international aviation and passenger shipping; 
  3. ensures that steps to mitigate emissions do not damage ecosystems, food and water availability and human health;
  4. ensures that steps taken to increase the health, abundance, diversity and resilience of species, populations and ecosystems follow the mitigation and conservation hierarchy - avoid, minimise, restore and offset;
  5. restores, expands and enhances the management of natural and cultivated ecosystems to protect and enhance biodiversity, ecological and ecosystem service provision;
  6. ensures an end to the exploration, extraction, export and import of fossil fuels by the United Kingdom as rapidly as possible; and
  7. sets up an independent citizens’ assembly to engage with the UK Government to help develop the emergency strategy.

  

Isle of Wight Council therefore resolves to: 

  1. Support the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill;
  2. Inform the local media of this decision;
  3. Write to local Member of Parliament, asking them to support the CEE Bill; and
  4. Write to the CEE Bill Alliance, the organisers of the campaign for the Bill, expressing its support (campaign@ceebill.uk).

 

Minutes:

Councillor Lever moved the following motion which was duly seconded:

 

The impacts of irreversible Climate Change are being felt across the UK and around the world. Global temperatures have increased by over 1 degree Celsius from pre-industrial levels. Without significant and sustained action, the world is set to exceed the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit by 2040. Therefore, the current UK target of net zero carbon by 2050 is too little too late.

 

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, limiting heating to 1.5°C may still be possible with significant and immediate action from national and local authorities such as the Isle of Wight, as well as wider society. Investing now would not only help avoid a cataclysmic climate and ecological tipping point but can also bring many benefits in the form of good jobs, breathable towns and thriving communities.

 

Council notes that: 

  1. Many local authorities are playing an important role in the UK taking action to achieve net zero carbon 
  2. The Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill currently before Parliament states that the UK Government must develop an emergency strategy that: 
  1. requires that the UK plays its fair and proper role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with at least a 66% chance of limiting heating to 1.5oC above pre-industrial temperatures;
  2. ensures that all the UK’s consumption emissions are accounted for, including international aviation and passenger shipping; 
  3. ensures that steps to mitigate emissions do not damage ecosystems, food and water availability and human health;
  4. ensures that steps taken to increase the health, abundance, diversity and resilience of species, populations and ecosystems follow the mitigation and conservation hierarchy - avoid, minimise, restore and offset;
  5. restores, expands and enhances the management of natural and cultivated ecosystems to protect and enhance biodiversity, ecological and ecosystem service provision;
  6. ensures an end to the exploration, extraction, export and import of fossil fuels by the United Kingdom as rapidly as possible; and
  7. sets up an independent citizens’ assembly to engage with the UK Government to help develop the emergency strategy.

  

Isle of Wight Council therefore resolves to: 

  1. Support the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill;
  2. Inform the local media of this decision;
  3. Write to local Member of Parliament, asking them to support the CEE Bill; and
  4. Write to the CEE Bill Alliance, the organisers of the campaign for the Bill, expressing its support (campaign@ceebill.uk).

 

During the debate Cllr Lever asked in accordance with the Council’s Constitution Part 4B section 10 (Voting) that a named vote be taken, he was supported by four other Councillors.

 

A named vote was taken the result of which were as follows:

 

For (21)

 

Councillors Geoff Brodie (Chairman), David Adams, Debbie Andre, Jonathan Bacon, Ian Dore, Rodney Downer, Paul Fuller, Chris Jarman, Julie Jones-Evans, Phil Jordan, Joe Lever, Michael Lilley, Karl Love, Karen Lucioni, Lora Peacey-Wilcox, Ian Stephens, Andrew Garratt, Richard Quigley, Warren Drew, Stephen Hendry, Claire Critchison.

 

Against (5)

 

Councillors Daryll Pitcher, Michael Beston, Vanessa Churchman, Joe Robertson, Ian Ward

 

Abstention (6)

 

Councillors Steve Hastings, John Nicholson, Martin Oliver, Gary Peace, Ray Redrup, Peter Spink

 

RESOLVED:

 

THAT the Isle of Wight Council therefore resolves to: 

  1. Support the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill;
  2. Inform the local media of this decision;
  3. Write to local Member of Parliament, asking them to support the CEE Bill; and
  4. Write to the CEE Bill Alliance, the organisers of the campaign for the Bill, expressing its support (campaign@ceebill.uk).