Labour reveal 'climate emergency' pledge as leader visits city - The Worcester Observer

Labour reveal 'climate emergency' pledge as leader visits city

Worcester Editorial 26th Apr, 2021   0

COUNTY Labour leader Coun Robin Lunn has revealed his party will declare a ‘climate emergency’ should his party seize power at County Hall next week.

Speaking on a visit to Worcester, Coun Lunn vowed to make the declaration at the first County Council meeting after the May 6 election in a move which he said would influence policies of his administration.

The Labour leader visited the riverside area and inspected the areas most damaged by the recent flooding. Coun Lunn also spoke to local residents in Diglis Avenue and gained a better understanding of the issues involved.

Worcestershire Labour’s ‘New Green Deal’ also includes a pledge to clear environmental targets for dealing with the climate emergency and the council must be open and accountable in their response to the climate emergency.




The party will increase the amount of renewable energy generated and used by the council by installing more solar panels on council owned buildings and working towards a local green co-operative energy company.

Labour will support the development of green jobs by encouraging start up companies and supporting local colleges to provide training and apprenticeship schemes.


Across the county, Labour will promote Worcestershire as a ‘green hub’ to both attract companies and boost the average Worcestershire wage.

The drive to make Worcestershire plastic free will continue while a Labour administration will seek to make the county’s waste collection sites more user friendly to reduce queues and the possibility of fly tipping.

A drive to ensure developers comply with the highest environment standards when building new homes and more of a voice for local residents on all developments which impact on local infrastructure have also been pledged by the party.

Coun Lunn said: “One of the biggest challenges for communities in the next 10 years is climate change. There are going to be massive challenges which the county will face.

“Labour will do all we can locally and campaign for change nationally and internationally.

“However, the first change we need to make here in Worcestershire is to recognise the problem exists, to remove the climate change deniers at County Hall and replace them with people who do understand the issues and do care about the consequences and the future of our planet,” he added.

 

 

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