Act on the Climate and Ecological Emergency Now!

The climate and ecological emergency (CEE) is the greatest threat that humanity has ever faced. Every part of society all over the world is responsible for playing their part in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and stopping the destruction of nature. Derby City is no exception.

The climate crisis ‘biggest security threat humans have faced’, Sir David Attenborough tells UN - https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/david-attenborough-climate-security-threat-b1806348.html

"The planet is facing a “ghastly future of mass extinction, declining health and climate-disruption upheavals” that threaten human survival because of ignorance and inaction": https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/13/top-scientists-warn-of-ghastly-future-of-mass-extinction-and-climate-disruption-aoe

Scientists are warning that “business as usual” will lead to:

* Mass food shortages from crop failures
* Increased flooding from rainfall increase and sea level rise
* Storm and flood damage to housing and infrastructure
* Heatwave related illnesses and deaths
* More wildfires
* Drinking water shortages
* Increased risk of disease outbreaks and more pandemics
* Economic damage
* Mass migration as parts of the planet become uninhabitable due to extreme temperatures or sea level rise
* The collapse of civilisation as we know it

People are already suffering and dying from the impacts of climate breakdown. Millions more will die without immediate urgent action: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/mar/08/global-heating-tropical-regions-human-livability

In May 2019 Derby City Council declared a climate emergency. So far there has been no action to reduce Derby's carbon emissions or even measure them and set targets.

Instead the Council has continued with "business as usual" and continue to follow Local Plans that were written before the declaration of a climate emergency and which fail to take into account the latest and very stark science about the state of nature and our climate.

The current Local Plans are not fit to respond to the climate and ecological emergency, make no reference to recent UK Government climate laws and targets so must be revised immediately: https://www.derby.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/planning/local-plan/

So why have Derby City Council continued to do nothing?

One issue is many Councillors do not have an understanding of climate science, ecology or air pollution and have refused to engage with evidence and reports with policy and action recommendations for local authorities. The Council supported the A38 expansion in their Local Transport Plan which was found unlawful on climate grounds following a legal challenge by residents. The council also dismissed objections and petitions from Derby residents concerned about the road expansion in relation to the climate emergency, loss of nature and increased air pollution.

How can elected public servants be trusted to make the best decisions for the future of Derby and our planet if they are unaware of the crisis or the solutions and support unlawful, environmentally damaging infrastructure schemes? Which is why CEE training must be mandatory for every member of the Council and qualified experts must be consulted on local authority plans.

Another problem is some Councillors believe pursuing outdated ideas of economic growth and meeting development targets set by Westminster are more important than preventing climate and ecological collapse. Despite much evidence that further inaction on the climate emergency will cause greater economic harm than any spending on action to prevent worsening climate breakdown: https://www.oecd.org/environment/indicators-modelling-outlooks/circle.htm

The Council currently grants planning permissions to developers that favour building on greenfield sites, that damage local biodiversity and install fossil fuel based heating systems that will need to be replaced by the homeowners as the UK transitions to low-carbon heat sources. Buyers of brand-new homes will face average costs of more than £20,000, whereas if the housing developers built new houses with high energy efficiency standards and a heat pump instead of a gas boiler the additional cost would be only £4,800. Why is this being allowed to happen?

The Council's current decarbonisation plans are placing hope for climate solutions in future technologies such as hydrogen fuels and carbon capture without trying to cut emissions. It is impossible that these technologies can be rolled out in time at the scale required. This is a ruse by fossil fuel interests to seize another decade or so of profits by distracting from taking action now. Green hydrogen and CCS will play a part in a future energy strategy, but in no way permit complacency or delay to action now.

Local government has a key role to play in taking climate action. According to the Committee on Climate Change councils have influence over one third of emissions in their areas. Local authorities control transport, social care, education, strategic planning and much more that can influence efforts to curb carbon emissions and mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis.

Other local authorities are already acting on the climate and ecological emergency with the urgency it requires and have developed net-zero 2030 action plans: https://pledge2030.uk/councils-for-2030/

While the UK Government has enshrined a new target in law to slash emissions by 78% by 2035: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-enshrines-new-target-in-law-to-slash-emissions-by-78-by-2035

All of this is possible and Derby City Council must wake up, stop delaying and act on the greatest threat that humanity has ever faced.