26 November 2020
Green Councillor David Lyons has tabled a motion requiring Buckinghamshire Council to support the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill which is currently on its way through parliament. The Bill was introduced by a cross-party group of MPs led by Green MP Caroline Lucas and it will be debated by the House of Commons in March 2021.
The Bill requires the UK to play its fair role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees and to ensure that all the UK’s consumption emissions are accounted for, including emissions from aviation and shipping. If would require the government to restore the health of UK soils, wildlife habitats and species populations to a healthy state, helping to absorb CO2 and resist climate heating.
The Bill also proposes an independent Citizens’ Assembly, representative of the UK’s population, to engage with Parliament and Government and help develop the emergency strategy. This follows the acclaimed success of the recent Climate Assembly which reported this year.
People concerned about the climate across Buckinghamshire can lobby their councillors to ensure that the motion is passed and Buckinghamshire adds to the momentum across the whole UK towards swifter and more effective climate action.
Haddenham Green campaigner, Gregory Smith, seen here with Green peer Natalie Brien, chairs the Zero Carbon Haddenham group. Gregory said, “We have made great progress locally in Haddenham and we want to see faster and more sustained action at county and national levels. The Green Party motion will help us to do precisely that.”
David Lyons added, “Having declared a climate emergency in July 2020, Buckinghamshire has delayed the introduction of its Climate Change strategy. My motion is receiving lots of support and I hope it will help to get Bucks back on track.”
