Climate Emergency Motion
Preamble
(a) This Council notes that many Darlington residents are demanding action on climate change.
(b) Council accepts that to limit the effects of global warming it is necessary for the world population to reduce its annual carbon emissions from the current 5.2 tonnes per person to less than 2 tonnes, as soon as possible.
(c) Council recognises that individuals cannot be expected to make this reduction on their own.
(d) All governments nationally and locally have a duty to limit the negative impacts of global warming. This Council has already acknowledged the importance of addressing the issue of Climate Breakdown, having signed up to the Global Covenant of Mayors. Darlington Borough Council also supports the current Tees Valley Net-Zero Strategy [1]
(e) Implemented policies have put the world on track to overshoot the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit, with projections of a global temperature rise between 2.2°C and 3.5°C [2]. Local councils should not wait for their national governments to change their policies.
Resolution
Council therefore resolves to:
(a) Reaffirm its declaration of a 'Climate Emergency'.
(b) Work to make Darlington Borough Council carbon neutral by at least 2040, considering both production and consumption emissions, both directly and indirectly caused by the council (scope 1 and 2), as described by the Carbon Trust [3]. For scope 3 emissions the Council will publish data (where available) to monitor emissions and inform procurement practice.
(c) Call on central government to develop the strategies and deliver the funding necessary to make this possible.
(d) Develop a carbon emissions reduction trajectory that supports the central government commitment to the Paris Agreement of no more than 1.5°C global temperature increase.
(e) Ensure that Darlington Borough Council is adapting to climate change so that it can continue to provide vital services.
(f) The Council is one of several organisations who have a leading role within the Borough, and within that role we will work to encourage and persuade businesses, third sector and public sector organisations, and residents to reduce emissions and become more resilient.
(g) Pledge to publish the emissions for the whole Borough and track this against a 2040 net-zero pathway.
(h) Work with nurseries, schools, and colleges to signpost them to appropriate learning aids and encourage young people to get involved in decision making and peer learning about how to tackle climate change.
(i) Work with other local authorities, organisations, and governments within the UK and internationally to share best practice methods on responding to the climate emergency.
(j) Continue the cross-party working group to oversee the climate change work and to provide support and guidance.
(k) Provide an amended action plan to reflect revised timescales within six months, with reporting on progress to Full Council every 6 months, thereafter.
[1] Tees Valley Climate Change Strategy: https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/business/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/Net-Zero-strategy-Digital.pdf
[2] The IPCC’s CLIMATE CHANGE 2023 Synthesis Report: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_SYR_SPM.pdf
[3] Carbon Trust Briefing: What are Scope 3 emissions? https://www.carbontrust.com/our-work-and-impact/guides-reports-and-tools/briefing-what-are-scope-3-emissions
Minutes:
The following Motion was moved by Councillor McEwan, and seconded by Councillor Lawley:
(a) This Council notes that many Darlington residents are demanding action on
climate change.
(b) Council accepts that to limit the effects of global warming it is necessary for
the world population to reduce its annual carbon emissions from the current
5.2 tonnes per person to less than 2 tonnes, as soon as possible.
(c) Council recognises that individuals cannot be expected to make this reduction
on their own.
(d) All governments nationally and locally have a duty to limit the negative impacts
of global warming. This Council has already acknowledged the importance of
addressing the issue of Climate Breakdown, having signed up to the Global
Covenant of Mayors. Darlington Borough Council also supports the current
Tees Valley Net-Zero Strategy.
(e) Implemented policies have put the world on track to overshoot the Paris
Agreement’s 1.5°C limit, with projections of a global temperature rise between
2.2°C and 3.5°C. Local councils should not wait for their national
governments to change their policies.
Resolution
Council therefore resolves to:
(a) Reaffirm its declaration of a 'Climate Emergency'.
(b) Work to make Darlington Borough Council carbon neutral by at least 2040,
considering both production and consumption emissions, both directly and
indirectly caused by the council (scope 1 and 2), as described by the Carbon
Trust. For scope 3 emissions the Council will publish data (where available)
to monitor emissions and inform procurement practice.
(c) Call on central government to develop the strategies and deliver the funding
necessary to make this possible.
(d) Develop a carbon emissions reduction trajectory that supports the central
government commitment to the Paris Agreement of no more than 1.5°C global temperature increase.
(e) Ensure that Darlington Borough Council is adapting to climate change so that it can continue to provide vital services.
(f) The Council is one of several organisations who have a leading role within the Borough, and within that role we will work to encourage and persuade businesses, third sector and public sector organisations, and residents to reduce emissions and become more resilient.
(g) Pledge to publish the emissions for the whole Borough and track this against a 2040 net-zero pathway.
(h) Work with nurseries, schools, and colleges to signpost them to appropriate
learning aids and encourage young people to get involved in decision making
and peer learning about how to tackle climate change.
(i) Work with other local authorities, organisations, and governments within the
UK and internationally to share best practice methods on responding to the
climate emergency.
(j) Continue the cross-party working group to oversee the climate change work
and to provide support and guidance.
(k) Provide an amended action plan to reflect revised timescales within six
months, with reporting on progress to Full Council every 6 months, thereafter.
The Motion was carried.