A 'CLIMATE emergency' has been declared by Craven District Council.

The council, which has said it wants to see the district become 'carbon neutral' by 2030, is one of the few local authorities in the country to see a strong emergency climate motion supported unanimously, by every member of the council.

The motion was put forward at last week's full meeting of the council by Green councillor Andy Brown and seconded by his party colleague, Cllr David Noland. It was amended by the Conservative group to strengthen the motion before being adopted unanimously.

Cllr Brown said: "With every passing day the evidence of the climate becoming more chaotic increases.

"We've seen floods in Hebden Bridge, a major bridge washed away at Tadcaster, 20-degree heat in February and now flash floods in Richmondshire. "Even if we stop emissions today there is a time lag and climate will continue to deteriorate."

He added: "I am overjoyed that Craven has unanimously passed a motion committing it to become carbon neutral by 2030.

"It was particularly pleasing to hear councillors from every political camp working together to put our area at the forefront of the changes that need to be made. I am grateful to colleagues from the Conservative group, Independents, Labour, Greens and Liberal Democrats for making serious commitments on such an important issue.”

Cllr Carl Lis, the council’s lead member for Greener Craven, said: “It is clear from the recent work by the Committee on Climate Change that it is necessary and possible to achieve the Paris Agreement’s target of keeping global temperatures at or below 1.5 degrees centigrade above pre industrial age temperatures.

"This will require the efforts of Government, businesses, households and local government.

“The Government has set a target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 but we recognise that to achieve this everyone needs to act now." He added: "The target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 is very ambitious but this target gives a degree of urgency that climate change requires.

“But we also need to tackle the current and future effects of climate change on our communities such as high summer temperatures and extensive frequent flooding. The consequences of climate change are being felt now and by 2030 or 2050 they will only be greater."

Cllr Lis said for some years, the council had recognised the role and effects of climate change and had acted to reduce emissions and waste through its Greener Craven Corporate Priority.

Recent environmentally friendly initiatives led by the council include the construction of the Skipton Flood Alleviation Scheme, phasing out single use plastic across council operations, running a RIBA competition to design carbon efficient affordable housing that can be rolled out across the district, and plans to install electric vehicle charging points in council car parks.

The council has also been instrumental in the development and delivery of projects to improve accessibility along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal; providing a safer walking and cycling access into the Yorkshire Dales and making connections into neighbouring towns and villages.

Future plans include reviewing land assets for tree planting to capture carbon and improve habitats, assessing options for renewable energy production on council buildings and land, and exploring opportunities for an anaerobic digestion facility.

Cllr Lis said: “Our approach to achieving a carbon neutral district will be constantly evolving as technology and best practice changes.

"Within six months we will present to members a strategic plan setting out how Craven District Council can achieve zero carbon emissions, across all activities for which the council is responsible.

“The plan will also include how we can work effectively with our partners including the national park on a sustainable approach to land management and develop rural low carbon communities.

“This council wants to be and will be, at the heart of tackling climate change."