West Oxfordshire District Council

“Climate change is one of the most urgent global challenges facing us today and the UK is taking a leading role in addressing this issue. Investing in green industries and decarbonising our economy we will leave the environment in a better state for the next generation. One of the ways in which this has been achieved is by phasing out coal power, leading to the longest time since the Industrial Revolution without using coal to generate electricity. This Council will recognise this achievement of a reduction in the use of fossil fuel, particularly in light of the Climate Emergency accepted by Parliament recently; commits to work towards the reduction of emissions for the benefit of both present and future generations thus fulfilling our Stewardship responsibility for the planet - handing it to subsequent generations in a better state than which it was left to us! To enable the Council to fulfil this aim, this Council adopts the following statements:  West Oxfordshire District Council recognises the serious and accelerating changes to the world caused by climate change and therefore declares a climate and ecological emergency  The Council is determined to be carbon neutral by 2030 and to encourage others in the District to follow its example  The Council will form a panel of residents and create a cross party working group to report back to the Council by January 2020 to assist in the formulation of its PlansIn support of this, Council authorises the Head of Paid Service, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment, to take the necessary steps to implement the above.”

— Full Council (Source)