Members of the Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire branch of Extinction Rebellion staged a ‘Greta-in’ outside a meeting of Chesterfield Borough Council on Wednesday, when councillors discussed the issue of climate change.

Last summer, the council declared a climate change emergency and agreed to set up a working group which has now developed an action plan on how the authority and the borough as a whole hope to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030 and 2050 respectively.

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Members of the Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire branch of Extinction Rebellion protested outside Chesterfield Town Hall. Pictures and video: Brian Eyre.

During the meeting, councillors approved the adoption and implementation of the plan.

However, Extinction Rebellion believes the plan is ‘not ambitious enough’ and would like to see the council make pledges such as ensuring new homes are zero carbon by 2025, retrofitting all existing housing to be energy efficient and investing in walking and cycling.

A spokesperson for Chesterfield Borough Council said: “Over the next three years more than £14million will be invested in ensuring the Climate Change Action Plan is implemented.

“The action plan developed by the Climate Change Working Group features 39 steps which will help achieve the ambitious carbon neutral targets.”

Members of the Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire branch of Extinction Rebellion protested outside Chesterfield Town Hall.

Speaking on the steps of Chesterfield Town Hall ahead of the meeting, young campaigner Skye Harris told the Derbyshire Times: “We don’t think the council’s Climate Change Action Plan is good enough.”

Liz Worall, of Extinction Rebellion, added: “We dressed as Greta to demand further action and remind the councillors of their responsibility for future generations.”

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, the council’s deputy leader, said: “The plan sets out a clear approach for the council to become carbon neutral within ten years. Our actions, commencing immediately, are targeted and cover specific areas including housing, green spaces, energy and transport.