Motion calls for stricter eco targets
South Lanarkshire Council were this week set to “acknowledge” the threat of climate change after the Scottish and UK governments declared a climate emergency.
A motion proposed by Councillor Julia Marrs (Clydesdale North) was due to go before council yesterday (Wednesday, September 25), calling on council officers to bring forward emissions reduction and exceed Scottish government targets.
Meanwhile, school pupils across South Lanarkshire joined millions of people across the globe on Friday, September 20, in climate protests ahead of the UN Climate Summit in New York on September 23.
The SNP councillor’s motion points to “irrefutable” scientific evidence which shows global temperatures rising by 1.5C by 2030 – the limit set by the Paris Agreement – if actions to prevent climate change aren’t sped up.
Cllr Marrs’ motion states: “As large organisations with thousands of employees and service users, local councils have a vital role in leading and influencing action on tackling climate change in their local area, particularly supporting the vulnerable people and communities most affected by climate change.
“The council is recognised for its prominent role in South Lanarkshire to reduce carbon emissions and be more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
“It has a robust and valid Sustainable Development and Climate Change Strategy which outlines the council’s approach towards contributing to a carbon neutral society, however, we will have to accelerate our pace of delivering action in light of the Scottish and UK Governments’ declaration of a climate emergency.
“I propose that officers of the council revise climate change action within the strategy’s action plan and set new time scales to meet or exceed the new national target for Scotland.
“I also propose that the council calls upon its community planning partners, the business community, third sector, trades unions and local citizens to work collectively across South Lanarkshire, accelerating climate change action to benefit our local area and contribute to addressing the global climate emergency.”