UK100 Net Zero pledge: ‘Bold and brave’ plans to cut emissions
THE Bristol region has joined 100 UK councils in launching ‘bold’ plans to cut emissions to net zero by 2045.
These proposals would see a third of the UK reach the crucial target five years ahead of the Government’s current plan.
Under the New Cities Race to Zero alliance, leaders were pledging to do everything within their powers to slash emissions at a special event yesterday.
They were also committing to annually report their progress, from 2022 onwards.
Under the pledge, each of the 100 leaders vow to ‘assess their largest impacts on climate change, be bold and brave in carrying out action and prioritise where action needs to be taken’.
Drastic action is needed because the world is still on track for temperature rises of more than 3C this century, a UN report warns.
This could have catastrophic effects on our communities, from increased flooding to wildfires.
On Monday evening, Bristol City Council expressed its clear opposition to plans for a major expansion of Bristol Airport in a U-turn on its previous position.
A majority of councillors agreed that the expansion was “incompatible” with the region’s carbon reduction targets and “must not go ahead”.
Mayor Marvin Rees said: “Bristol City Council and its partners are hugely ambitious for cutting emissions and making our city more resilient, as shown in our One City Climate Strategy.
“The UK100 Net Zero pledge helps cities to share learning rapidly with other local authorities and work with national government on effective solutions to contribute to the UK’s Net Zero Target.
“We will only succeed working together with our citizens, businesses and other institutions and collaboration is essential for that success. I look forward to the UK government working with local government as we help lead
Bristol City Council and its partners are hugely ambitious for cutting emissions and making our city more resilient, as shown in our One City Climate Strategy Mayor Marvin Rees
the world at COP26 next year.”
Council chiefs plan to share learnings around best practice throughout 2021, ahead of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.
Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, Dine Romero, said her area will launch the first Clean Air Zone outside London in March 2021.
She said: “We all want clean air and the zone is a step towards our wider Net Zero ambitions for Bath and North East Somerset to address air quality and tackle the climate and ecological emergencies.
“To achieve our ambition for B&NES to become carbon neutral by 2030, we are providing the leadership to effect change locally on the ground as well as pressing for system change and the resources needed from central government.”
The group of cross-party leaders will work together over the coming year to push for more funding and powers from central Government which will enable them to go even “further and faster” in the journey to Net Zero. Representing 20.4 million people, almost a third of the UK’s population, it’s hoped by the alliance joining forces more can be achieved.