Agenda item

The West of England Combined Authority Committee RESOLVED:

To agree items 2 and 3 of the Climate Emergency Action Plan update and  withdraw the remainder of the Climate Emergency Action Plan update report.  Mayors and Leaders to review the Combined Authority’s approach to Climate Emergency and to bring back recommendations to a special meeting of the Combined Authority and the Joint Committee in September 2021 whereby the Combined Authority will confirm a new, ambitious approach towards a Climate Emergency Strategy and action plan ahead of COP Glasgow in November 2021.

The Combined Authority Committee considered a report (agenda item 11) that set out details of the next phase of activity for tackling the climate emergency and protecting nature, including proposed activity in the lead up to COP26, and providing an update on progress towards ambitions contained within the Climate Emergency Action Plan.  The report was also presented to the Joint Committee for their information.

The Chair moved the report with the following amendment:

“To agree items 2 and 3 of the Climate Emergency Action Plan update and withdraw the remainder of the Climate Emergency Action Plan update report. Mayors and Leaders to review the Combined Authority’s approach to Climate Emergency and to bring back recommendations to a special meeting of the Combined Authority and the Joint Committee in September 2021 whereby the Combined Authority will confirm a new and ambitious approach towards a Climate Emergency Strategy and action plan ahead of COP Glasgow in November 2021.” 

(Note:

* Item 2 referred to above refers to the second bullet point in the report recommendation: ‘Support and engage with plans for activity to stimulate a green recovery and in the lead up to COP26’

* Item 3 referred to above refers to the third bullet point in the report recommendation: ‘Support the participation of Solar Together’)

This motion, including the amendment was seconded by Councillor Guy.

Mayor Rees welcomed the amendment.  He commented that the work to tackle the climate emergency, including the ecological emergency must be very specific with a clear timeline for taking forward actions and clarity about how impacts will be measured.  There was an opportunity to set an ambition and a standard from the region in the lead up to COP26.

Councillor Savage expressed his support for the motion, including the amendment.

Councillor Guy commented that it was important to recognise that the amendment must not be seen as a pause to work taking place to tackle the climate emergency. However, a re-think of the action plan was needed; clear, measurable actions must be identified and delivered, recognising that the climate emergency is the most important issue facing this generation and generations to come. A new and ambitious approach needs to be taken forward with all the region’s authorities working together to improve people’s lives.

The Metro Mayor also welcomed the amendment, highlighting that it supports his ambitions and key priority on taking urgent action to address climate change and protect the natural environment and biodiversity within the region.

On being put to the vote, the motion including the amendment was approved and

The West of England Combined Authority Committee RESOLVED:

To agree items 2 and 3 of the Climate Emergency Action Plan update and  withdraw the remainder of the Climate Emergency Action Plan update report.  Mayors and Leaders to review the Combined Authority’s approach to Climate Emergency and to bring back recommendations to a special meeting of the Combined Authority and the Joint Committee in September 2021 whereby the Combined Authority will confirm a new and ambitious approach towards a Climate Emergency Strategy and action plan ahead of COP Glasgow in November 2021.

(Note:

* Item 2 referred to above refers to the second bullet point in the report recommendation: ‘Support and engage with plans for activity to stimulate a green recovery and in the lead up to COP26’

* Item 3 referred to above refers to the third bullet point in the report recommendation: ‘Support the participation of Solar Together’)