- All governments (national, regional and local) have a duty to limit the scale and impacts of climate change and environmental degradation. In RBWM, this will require collaboration at all levels; individual residents, local groups and businesses, and the council.
- Setting an ambitious target in RBWM to reduce per capita emissions from 4.7tCO2e in 2016 [1] to within the range of -0.4 – 1.7tCO2e [2] by 2030 will acknowledge the UK’s contribution to date to climate change, whilst establishing RBWM’s status as a climate and biodiversity leader.
- Development, meeting local energy, transport and housing needs, managing our natural environment, and dealing with waste all fall within the auspices of the council. Leadership, education and advocacy framed by a sense of urgency, vision and cutting-edge policy can be delivered.
- Addressing the emergency cannot be left to singular functions within the council; it must be a priority across all cabinet portfolios, development and scrutiny panels, and operational departments.
- The transition to a net-zero borough must be just; protecting vulnerable workers and residents.
- Addressing these issues will result in additional benefits for our residents; cleaner air, healthier diets, improved health and wellbeing, new economic opportunities from clean growth and reduced exposure to climate risks.
[1] 2005 to 2016 UK local and regional CO2 emissions: statistical release, DBEIS (2018)
[2] Net Zero – The UK’s contribution to stopping global warming, Committee on Climate Change (2019)
