Moves afoot in Stamford to fight climate change
Stamford Town Council is to seek advice from South Kesteven District Council on how to count carbon dioxide emissions and then reduce them.
Then, based on its findings, the council could declare a ‘climate emergency.’
Members agreed this week to adopt a reverse approach to that of SKDC, which has declared a ‘climate emergency’ and set aside £50,000 to recruit a climate change officer to prepare an audit on how much carbon dioxide council activities create.
Town mayor Breda Griffin said: “Use SKDC experts rather than us spend money and not repeat SKDC’s work.”
However, Coun Gloria Johnson, who is part of an SKDC working party on the environment, said SKDC has not yet recruited its climate change officer, so it could be some time before the district council undertook its investigations and could give advice.
Before members voted, town clerk Patricia Stuart-Mogg confirmed: “Once we have the information, we will set out a strategy to reduce the carbon footprint. Then Stamford Town council will be informed to vote. We are not voting now to declare a climate emergency.”
However, Coun Steve Carroll said he would like to see the emergency declared now, fearing such a move may take six months.
Earlier, Victoria Valentine of campaigners Extinction Rebellion called on the town council to declare an emergency and undertake related activities.
Victoria has previously formed an Extinction Rebellion group in Stamford, adding to other climate change campaigners,
They recently joined the London protests, which saw Victoria's daughter arrested.
