Councillor welcomes go-ahead for climate change package

* Llangollen councillor Graham Timms was one of the proposers of the climate change motion. 

The Llangollen councillor who was one of its proposers has welcomed Denbighshire County Council’s approval this morning of a motion declaring a climate and ecological emergency. 

Along with Joe Welch, the independent councillor for Llanrhaeadr-yng-Nghinmeirch, and Mabon ap Gwynfor, the Plaid Cymru member from Llandrillo, Welsh Labour councillor Graham Timms put forward a motion to today’s full council meeting calling for the county council to:

● Immediately declare a Climate and Ecological Emergency

● Commit to making the authority net carbon zero by 2030 at the latest

● Set up a task and finish group to draw up a clear plan within 6 months to achieve the above, including ways to enhance biodiversity in Denbighshire

● Call on the Welsh Government and UK Government to provide assistance and resources to enable us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance biodiversity

● Work with partners across the public, private and third sector to help solve this climate and ecological emergency.

Cllr Timms said: “The motion on climate change went through unopposed. 

“I am delighted that the council was unanimous in voting for this motion.

“It is vital that we all act together to make Denbighshire County Council carbon neutral by 2030.

“The challenges we have set are ambitious, but future generations depend on us to play our part in reducing the destruction of the environment and the ecological impacts caused by global warming. 

“Llangollen Friends of the Earth helped and supported us in bringing this motion to the council and we recognise their importance in pricking our collective consciences.”

He added: "The scientific community tells us that unless we move very quickly to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions there will be catastrophic consequences, causing climate change and an ecological disaster for the whole earth. 

"Whilst this issue needs to be tackled internationally by governments across the world, I believe that we should set an example locally by committing ourselves to becoming carbon neutral in the next 10 years within Denbighshire County Council. 

"Llangollen recently became the first town in Denbighshire to gain 'plastic free' status from Surfers against Sewage, showing that our residents and businesses already have a commitment to the environment. 

"We are proposing the setting up of a task and finish group to examine the extent of the work that needs to be done to achieve our aim. It will report back to the council within six months with a plan on how we can become carbon neutral by 2030 at the latest.”