Eastleigh Borough Council look set to become the latest local authority declare a climate emergency in response to the report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which has led the Government to pledge that the UK will cut Greenhouse gas emissions to almost zero by 2050.

Last week Hampshire County Council’s ruling cabinet declared a climate emergency and Eastleigh’s Leader Keith House has told Eastleigh News that Eastleigh’s Councillors will vote on taking a more ‘robust’ course of action next month (July 18).

In a statement EBC Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Rupert Kyrle, said:

“We recognise that this is a hugely important issue facing not just our residents, but also our environment, our wildlife and the planet; we will therefore be taking a motion to Full Council next month asking Councillors to declare a Climate Change and Environmental Emergency. “As a Council, we have a proud track record of tackling climate change and continue to work hard to reduce the environmental impact of our day-to-day operations and to support our residents, and our public and private sector partners, in being greener in their business activities and everyday lives. We are ahead of the government’s 2020 target on greenhouse gas emissions, are one of the county’s foremost councils for levels of recycling, including Hampshire’s only collection of food waste, and have a huge renewable energy portfolio, generating around 330,000 kilowatts last year. “We have taken a number of other significant measures, including making our buildings more energy efficient, monitoring air quality and promoting sustainable transport solutions. Our energy switch campaign, green waste collections and insulation grants are also helping households reduce their carbon footprint.”

Eastleigh’s opposition Independent group told Eastleigh News that they have already submitted a motion for July’s full council meeting calling on the council to declare a climate emergency.

Cllr Gin Tidridge said:

“Our motion demands action – it is not enough to simply declare a climate emergency. Eastleigh Borough Council claims to be “Tackling Climate Change” but we see little evidence that it is ahead of other local authorities at present.”