To consider the following Motion submitted by Councillor McGuire:
“This Council notes that:
1. Climate change predictions show that without severe cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, the world will be hit by drought, flooding and famine affecting all of us, and poorest countries in particular. Some of these countries are already suffering from the effects of climate change. This is an issue of social justice as well as a call to take environmental action.
2. Under the UK Climate Change Act 2008, the UK is due to cut its emissions by 34% by 2020, but according to climate change scientists, a cut of 10% in 2010 is in line with what is now needed to avert runaway climate change.
3. Increasing numbers of councils are signing up to the "10:10 Campaign" which seeks to persuade individuals, businesses, organisations and the UK government to reduce their CO2 emissions by 10% in 2010.
This Council supports the aims and ambitions of the 10:10 Campaign and therefore resolves to sign up to the campaign as part of Sefton's commitment to tackling climate change.”
Minutes:
It was moved by Councillor McGuire and seconded by Councillor Tattersall:
"This Council notes that:
1. Climate change predictions show that without severe cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, the world will be hit by drought, flooding and famine affecting all of us, and poorest countries in particular. Some of these countries are already suffering from the effects of climate change. This is an issue of social justice as well as a call to take environmental action.
2. Under the UK Climate Change Act 2008, the UK is due to cut its emissions by 34% by 2020, but according to climate change scientists, a cut of 10% in 2010 is in line with what is now needed to avert runaway climate change.
3. Increasing numbers of Councils are signing up to the "10:10 Campaign" which seeks to persuade individuals, businesses, organisations and the UK government to reduce their CO2 emissions by 10% in 2010.
This Council supports the aims and ambitions of the 10:10 Campaign and therefore resolves to sign up to the campaign as part of Sefton's commitment to tackling climate change."
It was then moved by Councillor Maher and seconded by Councillor P. Dowd that the motion be amended by the deletion of the text in the final paragraph and the substitution of the following text:
"This Council is of a mind to support the aims and ambitions of the 10:10 Campaign and requests the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration and Environmental Services) to examine the feasibility of the Council signing up to the Campaign as part of Sefton's commitment to tackling climate change."
Councillor McGuire accepted the amendment and requested that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee consider this issue at the earliest opportunity.
The Mayor advised the Council that in accordance with Rule 15.14 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules, the motion would be referred to the Cabinet following consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for formal consideration of the financial implications, in advance of any budgetary commitment and prior to any action being taken to implement the decision.
Following further debate, the substantive motion was put to the vote and on a show of hands, it was
RESOLVED:
This Council notes that:
(1) Climate change predictions show that without severe cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, the world will be hit by drought, flooding and famine affecting all of us, and poorest countries in particular. Some of these countries are already suffering from the effects of climate change. This is an issue of social justice as well as a call to take environmental action.
(2) Under the UK Climate Change Act 2008, the UK is due to cut its emissions by 34% by 2020, but according to climate change scientists, a cut of 10% in 2010 is in line with what is now needed to avert runaway climate change.
(3) Increasing numbers of Councils are signing up to the "10:10 Campaign" which seeks to persuade individuals, businesses, organisations and the UK government to reduce their CO2 emissions by 10% in 2010.
This Council is of a mind to support the aims and ambitions of the 10:10 Campaign and requests the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration and Environmental Services) to examine the feasibility of the Council signing up to the campaign as part of Sefton's commitment to tackling climate change.