Decision details

In accordance with Standing Order 21, Cllr M Wade moved the following motion:-

“This Council notes:

The findings of the IPCC report approved by 195 member governments state:-

·         That many of the changes observed in the climate are unprecedented in thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of years, and some of the changes already set in motion, such as continued sea level rise, are irreversible over hundreds to thousands of years.

·         The evidence is clear that carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main driver of climate change, even as other greenhouse gases and air pollutants also affect the climate.

·         The report projects that in the coming decades climate changes will increase in all regions.

·         It also shows that emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities are responsible for approximately 1.1°C of warming since 1850-1900 and finds that averaged over the next 20 years, global temperature is expected to reach or exceed 1.5°C of warming

·         For 1.5°C of global warming, there will be increasing heat waves, longer warm seasons and shorter cold seasons.

·         The report shows at 2°C of global warming, heat extremes would more often reach critical tolerance thresholds for agriculture and health.

·         Climate change is affecting rainfall patterns. In high latitudes, precipitation is likely to increase, while it is projected to decrease over large parts of the subtropics. Changes to monsoon precipitation are expected, which will vary by region.

·         Climate change is intensifying the water cycle. This brings more intense rainfall and associated flooding, as well as more intense drought in many regions.

·         The report also shows that human actions still have the potential to determine the future course of climate.  The evidence is clear that carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main driver of climate change, even as other greenhouse gases and air pollutants also affect the climate.

This Council believes that:-

·         Stabilizing the climate will require strong, rapid and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and reaching net zero CO2 emissions.

·         Limiting other greenhouse gases and air pollutants, especially methane, could have benefits both for health and the climate.

·         That strong and sustained reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases would limit climate change.

This Council therefore calls on the Cabinet to:-

·         Declare a ‘Climate Emergency’;

·         Pledge to make the New Forest district carbon neutral by 2030, taking into account both production and consumption emissions;

·         Report to full Council within six months setting out the immediate actions the Council will take to address this emergency and a plan to measure annual district wide progress towards meeting the 2030 target.

·         Take into account carbon reduction actions in every aspect of its business

·         Work with partners across the district and the region to deliver this new goal through all relevant strategies and plans and drawing on local and global best practice.

·         Actively lobby the Government to provide the additional powers and resources needed to meet the 2030 target.”

Cllr Osborne seconded the motion.

The Chairman confirmed that, in accordance with Standing Order 41, as the motion called on the Cabinet to take actions, it should stand referred to the Cabinet.  The Leader of the Council confirmed that the Cabinet would consider the motion at its next meeting in October 2021.

RESOLVED:

That the motion be referred to the Cabinet.