Co-operative alliance puts climate emergency at top of council agenda

Cabinet councillors at Lewes District Council on 16th September have instigated a raft of measures to tackle the climate emergency after approving targeted action, including up to £100,000 funding that will support the immediate development of a comprehensive Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy.

The new Co-operative Alliance that controls Lewes District Council has moved quickly to put the district at the forefront of local authorities that are taking decisive action to reduce carbon emissions and achieve vital climate adaptations.

Councillor Matthew Bird, Cabinet Member for Sustainability, said:

“Time has run out for decision makers who deliver well-worn platitudes about the importance of our environment and fail to deliver the change that is so urgently required.

“We have to act now and I’m very proud that Lewes District Council is leading the way with a focused plan of initiatives to make a real difference in terms of carbon reduction, hand-in-hand with the delivery of a climate change and sustainability strategy within 12 months.”

Cabinet councillors set out a comprehensive course of action that includes an annual report to the Audit and Standards Committee on the level of council investment in the fossil fuel industry through its pension plan, the formation of a Community Climate Change Forum that will have representation from across the district, new measures introduced to ensure the views of young people are part of the climate emergency decision making process and the creation of a new post dedicated to the council’s work in this area.

The council is also setting up a Climate Change Scrutiny Panel to monitor and oversee the implementation of the strategy. Additionally, the panel will promote the council’s work in this area, including forging new external partnerships and making recommendations for policy development.

Councillor Bird added:

“When our new Strategy and Partnership Lead for Sustainability is appointed, he or she will possess a very high level of skills, experience and specialist knowledge to ensure everything the council does is in line with our target of net zero carbon emissions and full climate-resilience by 2030.”

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