Maidstone Borough Council

RESOLVED:� That this Council notes with concern the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on global climate change impacts and the recent Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) reports on global species and habitat loss.Further to this, Council:(1) Declares its recognition of global climate and biodiversity emergencies;(2) Requests the Policy & Resources Committee to: � undertake a short review of MBC governance policies and progress aimed at addressing locally these twin threats and to report on findings. This would include, inter alia, a review of the current provision of electric charging points throughout the Borough and bring forward an ambitious plan to make Maidstone Borough the friendliest place in the country for driving electric or hybrid vehicles.� consider a target date of 2030 for the whole of the Borough of Maidstone to be carbon neutral;� consider how the Council can strengthen local protection and enhancement of species, habitats and ecosystems services under available powers;(3) Requests the Chief Executive to (a) write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer stating the concern of the Council with respect to the above, the likely national impact on the economy and on the wellbeing of citizens, and requesting government funding be made available to implement swift appropriate actions in response and (b) include at the beginning of the proposed letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer the following additional sentence: �This Council welcomes the Chancellor�s recent announcement that a �future homes standard� will mandate the end of fossil-fuel heating systems so as to �lower carbon and lower fuel bills too.�

— Full Council (Source)