Agenda item

Notice of Motion by Councillor Catrin Wager

Meeting of The Council, Thursday, 7th March, 2019 1.00 pm (Item 18a)

In accordance with the Notice of Motion received under Section 4.20 of the Constitution, Councillor Catrin Wager will propose as follows:-

The Motion:

The evidence is now conclusive that climate change is happening. Climate change is linked to extreme weather events, rising sea levels, drought and flooding. The consequences of global temperature rising above 1.5°c are so severe that preventing this from happening must be a key priority. The findings of the IPCC 1.5C study in October state that humanity has 12 years to take decisive action on climate change. All governments (local, regional and national) have a duty to limit the negative impacts of Climate Change. The Council has obligations, under the “Wellbeing of Future Generations Act” to consider the impact of any decision it takes on generations to come. The Council also has an obligation to protect the public.

Council further notes that:

The impact of climate change and extreme weather events are already being felt within the county. 23,244 Gwynedd residents live within a flood risk area. Over the next century, sea levels are expected to rise by 1.1m. Flooding already costs the Welsh economy c. £200 million per year. Gwynedd’s landscape presents many opportunities for energy generation, biodiversity regeneration and runoff flood mitigation.

This Council therefore resolves to:

Do our utmost to ensure that the county remains a vibrant, viable and sustainable home for our children and their children for generations to come. We will do this by:

· Declaring a Climate emergency

· Commit to taking decisive action to reduce carbon emissions and strive for a zero-carbon future.

· Look for innovative means to achieve zero carbon targets

· Report back within 6 months on positive steps the Council have taken to reduce carbon emissions.

Minutes:

(3) The following notice of motion was submitted by Councillor Catrin Wager, in accordance with Section 4.20 of the Constitution, and it was seconded:

"The evidence is now conclusive that climate change is happening. Climate change is linked to extreme weather events, rising sea levels, drought and flooding. The consequences of global temperature rising above 1.5°c are so severe that preventing this from happening must be a key priority. The findings of the IPCC 1.5C study in October state that humanity has 12 years to take decisive action on climate change. All governments (local, regional and national) have a duty to limit the negative impacts of Climate Change. The Council has obligations, under the “Wellbeing of Future Generations Act” to consider the impact of any decision it takes on generations to come. The Council also has an obligation to protect the public.

This Council further notes that:

· The impact of climate change and extreme weather events are already being felt within the county.

· 23,244 Gwynedd residents live within a flood risk area.

· Over the next century, sea levels are expected to rise by 1.1m.

· Flooding already costs the Welsh economy approximately £200 million per year.

· Gwynedd’s landscape presents many opportunities for energy generation, biodiversity regeneration and runoff flood mitigation.

The Council therefore resolves to:

Do our utmost to ensure that the county remains a vibrant, viable and sustainable home for our children and their children for generations to come. We do this by means of:

· Declare a Climate Emergency.

· Commit to taking decisive action to reduce carbon emissions and strive for a zero-carbon future.

· Look for innovative means to achieve zero carbon targets.

· Report back within 6 months on positive steps the Council has taken to reduce carbon emissions.

It was noted that children and students were fully awake to the situation, and it was emphasised that elected members, as political leaders, should also play their part. On this basis, it was proposed and seconded to add the following wording to the original motion:

"Call on Welsh Government and Westminster Government to provide the requisite powers and resources to achieve the target of a carbon-free Gwynedd by 2030."

The proposer of the original proposal agreed to amend the proposal on these grounds with the Council’s consent.

Members expressed their enthusiastic support for the amended motion, and it was noted:

· That carbon emissions were impacting biodiversity and the eco-system also, and that plastics were making their way through the food chain. Attention was drawn to a second environmental workshop that was to be held at Plas Tan y Bwlch on 17 May.

· Even if we take firm steps with regard to climate change within 12 years, we would still see the climate changing for years beyond this, and a 10 year old child today would experience something that none of us would ever experience.

· That climate change was the greatest threat to the future of the human race, and we had to play our part, as a local authority, to lead the way and act to reduce the impact on the climate and the environment, and ensure a future for our children and our children's children.

· That seeing the proposal delivering practical plans, e.g. plans to reduce the use of cars, etc. was desirable.

· That there was a need to become carbon-negative, by planting more trees, etc.

The Leader noted that the Council had been at the forefront and effective in the field of reducing carbon for some years now, and that it had a target to deliver a 40% reduction in carbon by 2021, thus saving £3.3m for the Council. He also suggested that it could be possible to look into including a section under the Environment Department in the Council Plan regarding the climate change matter.

RESOLVED the evidence is now conclusive that climate change is happening. Climate change is linked to extreme weather events, rising sea levels, drought and flooding. The consequences of global temperature rising above 1.5°c are so severe that preventing this from happening must be a key priority. The findings of the IPCC 1.5C study in October state that humanity has 12 years to take decisive action on climate change. All governments (local, regional and national) have a duty to limit the negative impacts of Climate Change. The Council has obligations, under the “Wellbeing of Future Generations Act” to consider the impact of any decision it takes on generations to come. The Council also has an obligation to protect the public.