Rugby Borough Council declares climate emergency - The Rugby Observer

Rugby Borough Council declares climate emergency

Rugby Editorial 19th Jul, 2019   0

A CLIMATE emergency has been declared by Rugby Borough Council (RBC).

The council will adopt an action plan to address its impact on climate change within six months.

The declaration was made at a council meeting on Thursday (July 18), and follows the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ‘Special Report on Global Warming’ (2018) and The Committee on Climate Change’s report ‘Net Zero – the UK’s contribution to stopping global warming’ (May 2019).

RBC committed to establish a cross-party working group to advise the council’s cabinet on the actions and timescales needed to move towards carbon neutrality by 2030.




The working group will present its initial recommendations within six months.

The council will engage with partner councils, local businesses, environmental groups and residents to inform future actions.


The motion was adopted by the ruling Conservative group following initial motions from Rugby’s Labour and Lib Dem groups.

Labour Group leader Coun Maggie O’Rourke said: “This is a chance for Rugby to lead the way. We owe it to future generations in this town and everywhere else not to sit on our hands.

“This is an urgent issue that will affect everyone and we are willing to work with anybody to tackle this before we get to the point of no return.”

Lib Dem Coun Noreen New said: “Climate change is the most pressing issue facing us today and local government has a leading role to play in tackling the issue. It is vital that we work together to reduce emissions and make the transition to a low-carbon society.”

RBC and Conservative Group leader Coun Seb Lowe said: “I am very pleased that we have been able to work across the political divide to make this declaration, and I would like to thank the opposition groups on the council for their commitment.

“The council has already made steps towards carbon neutrality, but by declaring a climate emergency we have acknowledged the significance of the issue.”

RBC environment and public realm spokesman Coun Howard Roberts added: “I will be asking the cross-party working group to identify all of the key factors that contribute to the council’s carbon footprint.

“This vital piece of work will help us to identify ambitious yet realistic targets to achieve carbon neutrality.”

Councillors noted the progress already made, such as the urban meadows programme which uses long grass to capture carbon and transfer it into the soil, and the use of solar panels on council buildings.

Visit www.rugby.gov.uk/carbonneutral for more information on the working group and carbon neutrality.

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