Council Rejects Motion To Step Up Net Zero Plans
Opposition wanted more transparency on action on climate change
Councillor Kuldeep Tak proposing the motion at the council meetin
A motion urging Hounslow Council to step-up its net-zero plans and improve transparency around its action on the climate emergency presented to a recent borough council meeting has been defeated.
Originally proposed by Chiswick Riverside Councillor Gabriella Giles, and seconded by Feltham North Councillor Kuldeep Tak, the motion asked Hounslow Council to re-emphasise its commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030, to officially endorse the Glasgow Climate Pact agreed at COP26, and to provide regular six-month updates on the levels of carbon emissions throughout the borough.
Unfortunately, because of a full agenda, the motion wasn't presented until seven minutes before the mandatory finish time for the borough meeting at 11pm. There was no discussion with the motion going straight to a vote with opposition councillors supporting it and Labour councillors voting against with one abstention.
“COP26 was a momentous occasion in our fight against the climate emergency, and offers us an opportunity to reflect on what action we can take at a local level, as well as a global level, to tackle carbon emissions,” said Gabriella Giles, Conservative Spokesperson for the Environment on Hounslow Council. “As well as talking the talk on climate action, Hounslow Council now needs to show us that it is taking the right action by committing to publishing regular and transparent reports on the level of carbon emissions throughout the borough. We hope Labour councillors will join with the Conservative group to pass this motion and ensure we all work constructively to take local action against climate change.”
The motion also called for Hounslow Council to adopt a programme of carbon insetting, which involves investing in emissions reduction projects. Unlike carbon offsetting, which involves spending money to mitigate emissions, the Conservative group is calling for the council to focus on creating a net-zero emissions borough by investing in cleaner transport, proper insulation of council buildings and the adoption of sustainable planning guidelines.
“Action on the climate emergency requires our local authority to be serious about investing in projects which actively reduce the council’s overall emissions,” said Councillor Gabriella Giles. “A programme of carbon insetting will help to ensure our borough is able to reach its net-zero commitments as well as investing in the sustainable infrastructure that our residents need.”
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December 12, 2021