Anglesey County Council declares a climate emergency as councillors are urged to act on their moral duty to future generations
The Isle of Anglesey County Council has declared a climate emergency and agreed to develop an action plan to achieve carbon neutral status by 2030, following pressure from the Ynys Môn Constituency Labour Party.
Councillors have given unanimous support to a motion presented by Labour Councillor J Arwel Roberts (Ynys Gybi), which called on the council to take urgent action for the sake of future generations.
Presenting the motion at a full council meeting held on Tuesday 8th September, Cllr Roberts said: “We must recognise that this Council cannot continue with business as usual, and prepare an action plan, which can be monitored and implemented.
“We are in a position to make a difference for the sake of future generations, and we have a moral duty to act”.
The motion commits the Council to following the lead of the Welsh Government and neighboring Gwynedd County Council in preparing an action plan to ensure it achieves carbon neutral status by 2030. It also recognises the need to stop investing in fossil fuels and to use local planning policies to accelerate the delivery of net zero carbon developments and communities.
The declaration has been welcomed by Andy Short, Chair of the Ynys Môn Constituency Labour Party, who says that the party will be carefully monitoring its progress.
Speaking on behalf of the party’s 500 members on Ynys Môn, Mr Short said:
“At a time when we’re all so concerned about COVID, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that climate change is going to pose a much greater threat to people around the world. As individuals we can make a contribution in reducing that threat, but it’s really Government and the wider public sector that must lead the way by example.
“The approval of the motion today is a small step on a long journey. We are pleased that there was unanimous support for the motion, and now that support needs to be translated into concrete action. We need more renewable energy, more energy-efficient affordable homes, better public transport, protection and enhancement of our biodiversity, and a carefully planned tree planting initiative. “
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