Meeting documents

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by the deadline

of noon Thursday 10 October 2019.

The following Notice of Motion was submitted by Councillor R Raja and seconded by Councillor K Ahmed.

World leaders are at last taking an interest in the potential devastation caused by global warming and climate change. Climate Science Experts from around the world tell us that unless we switch away from fossil fuels within the next 12 years, we will be unable to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. We face a Climate Emergency. Reducing energy use and switching to clean energy will increase our energy security, improve our air quality, minimise fuel poverty, boost our local economy and provide jobs and training.

Wycombe District Council is prepared to play its small part in this big debate by declaring a climate emergency and committing to being carbon neutral by the year 2030. This move will raise the profile of this vital issue with our residents and enable us to secure additional external support and funding. WDC also agrees to sign up to the covenant of Mayors, to track our progress and link itself with Towns around the world who are engaged in cutting emissions.

To consider the following Notices of Motion submitted by the deadline.

The following Notice of Motion was submitted by Councillor R Raja and seconded by Councillor K Ahmed.

World leaders are at last taking an interest in the potential devastation caused by global warming and climate change. Climate Science Experts from around the world tell us that unless we switch away from fossil fuels within the next 12 years, we will be unable to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. We face a Climate Emergency. Reducing energy use and switching to clean energy will increase our energy security, improve our air quality, minimise fuel poverty, boost our local economy and provide jobs and training.

Wycombe District Council is prepared to play its small part in this big debate by declaring a climate emergency and committing to being carbon neutral by the year 2030. This move will raise the profile of this vital issue with our residents and enable us to secure additional external support and funding. WDC also agrees to sign up to the covenant of Mayors, to track our progress and link itself with Towns around the world who are engaged in cutting emissions.

Councillor R Raja in proposing the motion described the climate emergency as more important than Brexit.

The planet was truly in the grip of an emergency and an environmental catastrophe was unfolding before us. The environmental collapse was already affecting people around the world ranging from natural disasters and extreme weather events (heavy rains, unprecedented flooding and severe droughts) whilst the higher levels of Carbon Dioxide were reducing the polar ice caps and melting glaciers; reducing the flow of life giving water for billions of people in the coming decades.

It may not have been the unanimous view of scientists around the world, but the overwhelming majority were of the view that human activity was contributing to a rise in the world’s temperature and this was being caused by increased levels of CO_2.The world community appeared to have agreed that although it was going to be challenging we needed to be Carbon Neutral by 2030. (Indeed most of the world was signed up to a Carbon Neutral world by 2050).

In addressing what was CO₂? Councillor Raja explained that Carbon Dioxide was a greenhouse gas which occurred naturally in the atmosphere. It was natural and harmless in small quantities but as levels rise it can be dangerous to human health. CO₂ was produced for example by the air we exhale.

CO₂ was an essential ingredient in photosynthesis, the process by which plants make food and energy. Levels of atmospheric CO₂ had increased since the Industrial Revolution and the primary causes were deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels such as coal. As CO₂ levels had risen, so had its effects on air pollution. Carbon dioxide accounted for less than 1 per cent of the atmospheric gases and there was a delicate balance between carbon dioxide and other gases. Yet we had witnessed significant change in the levels of CO₂ over a relatively short period of time.

Carbon dioxide contributed to air pollution in its role in the greenhouse effect; it trapped radiation at ground level, creating ground-level ozone. This atmospheric layer prevented the earth from cooling at night; one result being a warming of ocean waters, which impacted upon the ability of the oceans to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Global warming was reducing the size of the ice caps in the Arctic and Antarctica and this melting of ice was already manifesting itself in a loss of shoreline and coastal wetlands. A number of islands in the Pacific and even places like the Maldives were slowly being submerged by rising sea levels.

CO₂ emissions impacted human health by displacing oxygen in the atmosphere consequently, breathing becomes more difficult as carbon dioxide levels rose. Further health complications were headaches, rapid heart rate, clumsiness, emotional upsets and fatigue. As less oxygen become available, nausea and vomiting, collapse, convulsions, coma and death could occur. All this was putting extra strain on already stretched health services.

One of the best ways to remove carbon from the atmosphere was to plant trees - responsibly.

Could not Wycombe District Council be prepared to play its small part in this big debate by declaring a climate emergency and committing to being carbon neutral by the year 2030?

In seconding the motion Councillor K Ahmed indicated that that when speaking to residents of High Wycombe, the climate emergency came top of their priorities. For years climate experts had indicated that our planet was being destroyed and a better way must be found before it was too late.

Health, housing, highways, procurement, planning; everything we do must be subject to review to make sure we are moving towards carbon neutral targets.

Councillor Ahmed added that we needed to be led by our young people in these matters, many were most engaged with the challenge of climate change. Wycombe District Council needed to lead the way to a carbon neutral future.

The Leader of the Council rose to speak, stating that she had indeed felt climate change to be a priority for the District. Unfortunately the Council would no longer exist after April 2020 she suggested that the motion be referred to Cabinet under Standing Order 12.6 where more detailed thought could be effected and suitable recommendations for the new Unitary Authority could be developed.

This was duly seconded by Councillor D Barnes.

Upon enquiry from the Chairman of Council, it was confirmed that this matter would be referred to Cabinet, and that the Leader of the Council would confirm with Members at which Cabinet meeting the matter would be considered. The item would then be added to the Cabinet Forward Plan for Cabinet. The mover of the initial Motion, Councillor R Raja, confirmed he was happy with this approach.

In accordance with Standing Orders, a report back from Cabinet to Full Council would be forthcoming by way of recommendation from Cabinet as to whether or not to adopt the motion or give any such other advice as was appropriate.