Council runs climate ‘audit’
TOWN HALL RECRUIT ACADEMIC TO HELP ‘NET ZERO’ CARBON EMISSION TARGET
A LEADING social scientist and academic is to help develop Kirklees Council’s planned Climate Commission, which is part of the authority’s desire to address green issues in the borough.
Professor Andy Gouldson, Professor of Environmental Policy at the University of Leeds, is Co-Chair of the Leeds Climate Commission.
He will chair an interim advisory panel supported by the council, which will meet early next year to agree terms of reference, membership of the full commission and the initial commission programme of work before the full commission meets for the first time in spring/ summer 2021.
The Labour-led council declared a climate emergency in January 2019. In proposing the motion, which was backed by the Liberal Democrats, Greens and Independent groups, Clr Richard Murgatroyd called it “a real step forward”.
The declaration will see the authority carry out a full environmental audit and measure its carbon footprint. Conservatives abstained en-masse from the vote.
The Climate Commission has been described as “an important initial step” in the council’s Climate Emergency Phase 1 plans to reach ‘net zero’ carbon emissions by 2038.
It will bring together organisations and groups across Kirklees to collaborate on taking action to address climate change and will be independent of the council.
It will promote leadership on climate change as well as providing independent advice, best practice and act as a forum where partners can exchange ideas. On behalf of the emerging Kirklees Commission, the council has also agreed to join the
Place-Based Carbon Action Network’ (PCAN), a national network of other commissions and developing commissions, which meets to share best practice and learning. Clr Paul Davies, the council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Greener Kirklees, said the authority was “absolutely committed” to tackling the climate emergency. He added:
“However, this issue is bigger than the council. We do not have all the answers and we cannot do this alone.
“That’s why setting up a Kirklees Climate Commission is such an important part of our ambition for Kirklees. This is an issue that impacts on everyone and it’s right that we include as many people as we can in shaping the action we all need to take together.
“Professor Gouldson has a real track record in establishing and cochairing the Leeds Climate Commission and we are delighted that he is able to share his expertise with Kirklees and help us on our journey towards addressing the impacts of climate change.”