The Lib Dems and I have called for Woking Borough Council to declare a climate emergency and pledge to make the Council carbon neutral by 2030.

On behalf of the Lib Dem Group, I have tabled a motion to the next Full Council meeting on Thursday 25th July calling for Woking Council to declare a climate emergency.  The Lib Dems want the Council, its wholly-owned companies and contractors to aim to become carbon neutral by 2030.

Climate change is the most pressing issue facing us today.  I think it is crucial that Woking Borough Council declares a climate emergency and agrees an ambitious carbon emissions reduction plan.

Earlier this month, I succeeded in getting Surrey County Council to declare a climate emergency and start to take action to reduce its carbon emissions.  I hope that Woking Council will also declare a climate emergency.

Woking Council’s current target remains at an unambitious 2050, which is much too late according to climate scientists.  The Lib Dems demand better than warm words and no action.  We demand a Council that listens to it’s people on climate change.

There is now overwhelming scientific evidence that man-made climate change is accelerating far faster than previously thought, and that urgent action is needed by national and local government, as well as from civil society and the private sector.  Woking Borough Council needs to play its full part in that if we are going prevent the worst effects of climate change.  This is not an issue we can afford to put off any longer.