In answer to Cllr Burgess’s motion on the Climate Emergency, a deputation appeared at the full council meeting this morning explaining some of the action which is being taken by interested groups such as Extinction Rebellion.
It is often the case that deputations appear in the City Chambers, make passionate speeches and these are then ignored when the council agrees how to proceed. Not so today.
Cllr Burgess who proposed the motion claimed that a systemic change across all city partners is needed to address the emergency. Instead of delaying, the Greens want to get the ball rolling immediately and will not conflate sustainability goals with the climate emergency.
Cllr Burgess said : “The clock is ticking we need to get going now and not in eighteen months’ time.”
Council Leader Cllr McVey, (who we understand had been about to claim that no action was required as the council had already adopted sustainability goals), was persuaded this morning to offer a consensus. On behalf of the administration, he added an amendment to the final paragraph of the motion – “as part of a range of potential mechanisms to deliver our Climate target” – allowing the motion to be agreed. The council is now bound to set up a City of Edinburgh Climate Emergency Partnership.
Cllr McVey said : “Sometimes partnerships are slow moving rather than fleet of foot. We need the right mechanisms to effect this. The bit I am excited about is the ability to harness the City Region Deal and the investment it offers to deliver solutions. I hope this will take us to a position of consensus.”
Depute Council leader Cllr Day said : “There is work happening already in the city. This city should lead on something big and bold with our key players like the NHS and the universities.”
Cllr Steve Burgess was pleased with the outcome. He said : “It’s hugely that welcome the council has unanimously agreed to approach potential City partners to work together on the new zero carbon 2030 target.
“Now it’s over to NHS Lothian, Chamber of Commerce and major employers, the voluntary sector, Universities and other potential partners to take up the climate change challenge.”
The motion by Green councillor Steve Burgess read :
- By Councillor Burgess – City of Edinburgh Climate Emergency Partnership“This Council;
- 1) Notes the decision by the Corporate, Policy and Strategy committee on 14 May to agree a Climate Emergency target of net-zero carbon by 2030;
- 2) Notes that for Edinburgh to achieve this target it will be beneficial forthe City’s public bodies, businesses, institutions and organisations to work together and that this Council can play a key role in bringing these city-wide partners together;
- 3) Therefore agrees that the Council will approach potential partners a view to establishing a City of Edinburgh Climate Emergency Partnership and requests a report back to the Corporate, Policy and Strategy Committee on the responses received and on taking thispartnership forward.”
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