GREEN-minded members of Worcester City Council have officially agreed to up their climate game.
Councillors met at a meeting of the full council on Tuesday (September 17) to agree to sign up to the UK100.
UK100 is a network of local government leaders focused on tackling the climate emergency by promoting rapid action across a spectrum of climate change mitigation and adaptation work.
Joining the network will enable the council to work directly with other council’s facing the same challenges and enable it to have direct access to climate research, campaigns, publications, innovative funding models and private sector expertise.
In order to join the UK100, group leaders need to sign the Net Zero pledge with its associated guidance. The Net Zero pledge entails committing to a 2030 target for council emissions and a target for 2045 for area-wide emissions.
The UK100 Net Zero Membership Pledge states: “We will continue to lead the UK’s response to climate change, acting sooner than the government’s goal by making substantial progress within the next decade to deliver Net Zero. We will use our experience and achievements to advocate to the UK government in order to accelerate the delivery of ambitious local climate action. With greater powers and funding, we would go further.
“We commit to do everything within our power and influence to rapidly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and work with our residents and businesses to bring our wider communities’ emissions in line with Net Zero as soon as possible.
“We pledge to understand our impact on climate change, prioritise where action needs to be taken and monitor progress towards our goals. We will reduce our emissions at source and limit the use of carbon offsets as part of the global effort to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
“We are closer to the people who live and work in our communities, so we have a better understanding of their needs. This means we can collaborate with them to build consensus for the solutions we need to transition to a Net Zero society that delivers multiple benefits and is fair, just and works for everyone.”
Councillors voted in favour of joining the UK100 and the matter will now be is taken to the environment committee for its consideration and to explore the process involved in proceeding with the application.
More information about opportunities afforded through membership can be found at www.uk100.org