Telford & Wrekin Council declares climate emergency

The Council has committed to ensure its activities and operations are carbon neutral by 2030.

A commitment was also made to remove single-use plastics from the Council’s operations and activities, replacing them with sustainable alternatives, by the end of the current administration in 2023.

In June, the Council supported National Refill Day with the announcement that a number of Council buildings would be offering free water refills.

The impacts of climate change and plastic pollution are causing serious damage around the world. The impact on everyone in Telford and Wrekin is also likely to be profound, with risks to life, property and the environment, if no action is taken.

The two parts of the motion agreed at full Council are inextricably linked, as 99% of plastics cause climate change, therefore the Council has committed to addressing these issues in a holistic way.

Cllr Carolyn Healy, cabinet member moving the motion, said: “By declaring both a Climate Emergency and supporting our Plastic Free Communities Campaign, this Council is recognising the seriousness of both of these issues and the urgency of taking action now.

"This Council is making a commitment to achieve carbon neutrality from the operations and activities that are under the Council’s control, alongside a commitment to remove single-use plastics and to replace them with sustainable alternatives.

“We are further committing to engage with residents, businesses, fellow public sector organisations and partners to work together with the aspiration for the whole Borough to be carbon neutral and a recognised Plastic Free Community as set out by Surfers against Sewage.”

Cllr Hilda Rhodes, cabinet member seconding the motion at the meeting, said: “Unlike other Authorities we are setting a date for these commitments, showing our ambition and determination.

“By committing to carbon neutrality by 2030 we are setting ourselves a target that is 20 years earlier than the Government has set as their own target.”

This Council’s motion also resolved to call on the Government to provide the powers and resources to make both parts of this motion possible and ask local MPs to do likewise.

A report will go to the Council’s cabinet on Plastic Free Telford in September 2019 and on Climate Change in January 2020.

All Council libraries have now signed up as Refill Stations which means that anyone can now go in and ask for a free water refill at Wellington, Madeley, Newport, Southwater One and Oakengates libraries.

These are in addition to Refill Stations already at these Council buildings: Newport swimming pool, Café Go in Addenbrooke House, Café at Telford Town Park, Horsehay Golf and Leisure Centre and Costa at Southwater One.