Press Release - WBC Declares Climate Emergency

Press Release - Issued 3rd July 2019
West Berkshire Council declares Climate Emergency

"West Berkshire Council declared a Climate Emergency yesterday evening (Tuesday 2 July).

There was unanimous support for a motion to declare the Climate Emergency at a meeting of West Berkshire's Full Council. 

The declaration follows discussion at a meeting of Council last month and a petition put forward by Councillor Steve Masters (Green Party) requesting the declaration of a Climate Change Emergency.

Climate Change is high on the agenda for the council and features in a number of the new Council Strategy priorities. 

Steve Ardagh-Walter, West Berkshire’s Executive Member for the Environment said: “It is the responsibility of government at all levels to limit the negative impact of climate breakdown, and we need to start working on this right now.

“We are responding to this urgent call for change by making a firm pledge to do everything we can to deliver carbon neutrality by 2030.

“However, we do realise that it will take time for the level of change we need to take place. That is why we have created an Environmental Board that will work with residents, businesses and neighbouring authorities to create a strategic plan for change.

“As a council, we have been making positive steps towards change and will continue to work with business and communities to find and use greener options.  There are clear benefits but this will require hard work from everyone in the community and changes in individual’s lifestyles.”

The newly formed Environment Board will provide an interim report to the council’s Executive in September 2019 with the progress made to date"

Issued by: 
Peta Stoddart-Crompton 
www.westberks.gov.uk