To receive the following motion for which the necessary notice has been provided.
Newport City Council resolves to:
Declare an Ecological and Climate Emergency.
· Newport City Council will continue the good work that we have started and reduce our carbon emissions to net zero carbon by 2030.
· Review the services we provide to ensure they support the city’s journey to both net zero carbon and adapting to the impacts of climate change by 2050.
· Develop a clear Climate Change Organisational plan, in consultation with our citizens, for the next five years that will set out the actions we need to take to achieve this.
· Develop a city-wide Local Area Energy Plan, in collaboration with experts from the public, private and third sector to develop innovative solutions to decarbonise heat, electricity and local transport and realise local renewable energy production.
· Work with One Newport partners and the public to develop a city-wide Climate Strategy to enable city-wide net zero carbon and adaptation to climate change by 2050 and integrate best ecological practice into each area of the council’s activity, allowing us to lead the city by example.
· Publicise this declaration of an ecological and climate emergency to residents and businesses in Newport and support and influence action by partners through partnerships and support and enable action by citizens to reduce their own carbon emissions.
The motion is to be proposed by the Leader and seconded by Councillor Jason Hughes.
Minutes:
The Leader presented the following Motion to Council and reserved her right to speak later in the debate:
Declare an Ecological and Climate Emergency.
§ Newport City Council will continue the good work that we have started and reduce our carbon emissions to net zero carbon by 2030.
§ Review the services we provide to ensure they support the city’s journey to both net zero carbon and adapting to the impacts of climate change by 2050.
§ Develop a clear Climate Change Organisational plan, in consultation with our citizens, for the next five years that will set out the actions we need to take to achieve this.
§ Develop a city-wide Local Area Energy Plan, in collaboration with experts from the public, private and third sector to develop innovative solutions to decarbonise heat, electricity and local transport and realise local renewable energy production.
§ Work with One Newport partners and the public to develop a city-wide Climate Strategy to enable city-wide net zero carbon and adaptation to climate change by 2050 and integrate best ecological practice into each area of the council’s activity, allowing us to lead the city by example.
§ Publicise this declaration of an ecological and climate emergency to residents and businesses in Newport and support and influence action by partners through partnerships and support and enable action by citizens to reduce their own carbon emissions.
The Leader reserved her right to speak after the end of the debate.
The Motion was seconded by Councillor Hughes, who also reserved his right to speak.
No amendments were proposed.
Comments on the Motion from Councillors:
§ Councillor Jeavons mentioned that the Council had made great progress over the last four years reducing carbon emissions by nearly 30%. This included replacing all streetlighting with low energy LED bulbs and introducing several solar PV systems across its estate. The Council would shortly be putting its ambitious climate change strategy out for consultation. With a commitment to net zero by 2030 or sooner.
Councillor Jeavons went on to say that the Council had a fleet of just over 200 vehicles, moving away rapidly from diesel and petrol vehicles. By the end of the year, 25% of the fleet would be electric, including all cars and small vans.
The Council was also working on more challenging bespoke plant and vehicles, and recently rolled out the first electric RCV in Wales, with a further five joining the fleet over the coming months. By 2030 the Council would have 100% electric fleet.
The replacement of cars and vans would save 75 tonnes of CO2 per year. This was equivalent to the amount that 100 trees would absorb over 75 years. Each electric RCV saves 40 tonnes of Co2 per year and the Council would target electric vehicle usage to the AQMA areas.
There were 21 charging stations at council buildings, 50 installed in our car parks for public use and the rollout of rapid chargers and residential charging was underway.
§ Councillor Lacey informed colleagues that we were in an Ecological and Climate crisis and that it was not too late for elected members to put policy in place to have a positive impact on the city for now and for future generations to come.
Newport was only one council and one city alone, however, only a few years ago a motion was brought to the council to make Newport a Bee friendly city and what an impact that motion already had. There were not one but two endangered and rare bees thriving in the City - the Shrill Carder Bee could be found not only on the Gwent levels but also in St Julian’s along with the silver sided nomad bee. In addition, local bee-keepers noticed an increase in honey production this year thanks to the no mow May initiative as well as the creation of the wild flower meadows.
Councillor Lacey went on to ask members to support the motion put to them to once again make that impact for future generations to come.
§ Councillor Forsey welcomed the climate change plan to reach net zero by council. Councillor Forsey encouraged walking and cycling whenever possible and suggested planned journeys wherever possible. Majority of journeys were less than one mile and walking would be a healthier alternative as the Council was planning more active travel routes.
§ Councillor Davies mentioned that, as the previous Cabinet Member for sustainable development, this remained as an issue that she felt very passionate about and felt a moral imperative to move at a pace and protect the future of our planet.
Climate change was now affecting every country on every continent and affecting lives, costing people, communities and countries dearly today and even more tomorrow.
People were experiencing the significant impacts of climate change, which included changing weather patterns, rising sea levels and more extreme weather events. The greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are driving climate change and continued to rise to their highest levels in history. Without action, the world’s average surface temperature was projected to rise over the 21st century and is likely to surpass 3 degrees Celsius.
It’s clear that the poorest and most vulnerable were being effected the most. This is internationally, in countries such as Madagascar, where drought was entirely caused by climate change and the consequence was famine and disease.
At a more local level it was clear that those who were most deprived were more directly impacted, either living in areas where there are high recorded co2 emissions or live in inadequate housing that was ill equipped to deal with anticipated climate extremes. It was felt that everyone had a personal responsibility to take action.
Taking a corporate responsibility and developing a city wide strategy would enable us as a city to become carbon neutral by 2050 had to be commended and Councillor Davies, therefore supported the motion.
§ Councillor Whitehead suggested that the discussion around pollution had taken a back seat but needed to be raised as a matter of priority. The Councillor mentioned that the amount of weeds hiding plastics at the Sainsbury’s site to the Castle was staggering. The City Centre also had a lot of plastic on the entrance, this also needed to be addressed.
§ Councillor M Evans mentioned that the Conservative group would support the motion and welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with the public, private and third sectors. He stressed how important it was that they provided innovative solutions and assistance to help the council to meet their aims and target. The public however needed to get on board with this. A fully integrated transport network running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with a reasonably priced and reliable bus service would be a considerable help but we were a long way from achieving this. It also needed to be recognised that a car for some people was a necessity and not a luxury. In order to allow low income families to participate with affordable alternatives, significant funding would be required by the government. It would not be easy and we would all need to set an example and the rest of the world would need to play its part.
§ Councillor Hughes summed up that most of us here this evening will be very much aware of the enormous harm that a 2~C average rise in global temperature is likely to cause our planet even compared to a 1.5*C rise.
We are a coastal nation and Newport is a maritime city-something which has favoured us in the past but raises serious challenges for our future, No corner of the world will avoid the consequences of climate change.
Limiting global warming will now take ambitious action on a national, local and individual level.
Newport has committed to net zero targets and is leading the way in several areas. Our talented and passionate staff do make us an organisation we can be proud of. We have made a good start and have made strong inroads however as discussed throughout COP26 much more urgent action needs to be taken to avoid the worst impact of climate change.
Declaring an Ecological and climate emergency will further strengthen our position in continuing to take effective action. As a council we will ensure that we take the actions highlighted and that our plans are consistent and effective in reaching our ambitious targets.
Our colleagues in Council have spoken about how we are making a difference and how motions passed are having a positive impact on our environment. Throughout the city people are making a difference and this Council is making a difference-we must ensure that momentum is not lost.
Councillor Hughes urged members to share and respond to the draft climate change strategy and help shape our cities response to these challenges.
We have so many activities throughout the city that we can be genuinely proud of-we are seeing our urban biodiversity thrive, new species returning and partnerships and communities engaging but the challenge ahead for humanity presents the greatest of challenges and this motion commits us all to doing what we can to meet the challenges support our ecosystems and achieve net zero.
Councillor Hughes stated that this motion sends a clear message that we do take these issues seriously and we will remain proactive in meeting our obligations to future generations.
Councillor Hughes was pleased to second this motion and asked colleagues in Council to support the motion also.
§ The Leader mentioned that it was apparent that there was a cross party agreement on moving this motion and emphasised the role of partnership work. The Council had signed up to a sustainable travel charter. There was an opportunity for taxi drivers to use the Electrical Vehicles (EV) scheme available for them to test drive EV motors. Discussion was taking place on how to harness the natural resource along the M4 corridor from the River Severn. Some of the issues addressed by colleagues at this meeting were being addressed by the Council, such as weeding and litter picking. The Leader referred to the comments from colleagues of the opposition and thanked everyone for their support in this debate and it was felt that there was also a moral obligation to support the children within Newport for a more sustainable future.
Resolved:
The motion was put to the vote and was duly carried.