Climate emergency declaration at Council on 26 June 2019

Warwick District Council accepts the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s conclusion that global warming above 1.5ºC greatly increases climate change risks such as extreme weather, diseases spreading, species extinction and poverty in Africa and Asia; and that “ambitious action from national and sub national authorities, civil society, the private sector, indigenous peoples and local communities can support the implementation of ambitious actions implied by limiting global warming to 1.5ºC”.

This Council declares a ‘Climate Emergency’ because of the significant and urgent action needed; consequently, Warwick District Council commits to:

1. Becoming a net-zero carbon organisation, including contracted out services, by 2025 in terms of scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
2. Facilitating decarbonisation by local businesses, other organisations and residents so that total carbon emissions within Warwick District are as close to zero as possible by 2030.
3. Working with other local councils to lobby central government to help address the above points including by funding and changing regulation.
4. Engaging with and listening to all relevant stakeholders including members of the Warwickshire Youth Parliament regarding approaches to tackling the climate emergency.
5. Ensuring that tackling the Climate Emergency is central to the strategic business plan – both in terms of adaptation and mitigation.
6. Producing within six months an action plan to implement these commitments. This will be lead by the portfolio holder for Environment and Business who will form a group with shadow portfolio holders for this purpose
7. The Council accepts the invitation to take part in the internationally recognised UN programme One Carbon World. Therefore becoming the first council to become carbon neutral through this scheme and achieving the internationally recognised UN Climate Neutral Status

Council meeting details and minutes (26th June 2019)