Three Rivers District Council has approved a climate change motion requesting the council to actively to work with communities and businesses to fight the global threat.

The motion asked for the details of the strategy and action plan to be brought to its policy and resources committee by the end of 2019.

It was heard on May 21 (Tuesday) and was put forward by leader Sara Bedford and councillors Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Chris Lloyd, Alex Michaels, Sarah Nelmes, Andrew Scarth and Dominic Sokalski.

It commits the council to use all practical means to reduce the impact of council services on the environment, use all planning regulations and the Local Plan to cut carbon emissions and reduce the impact on the environment.

It also calls for help from the government to provide the support and resources needed to progress the action plan.

Council leader Cllr Bedford (pictured below) said: “Three Rivers may only be a tiny part of the global economy, but we need to play a local part to fight this global threat.

“We want to talk to residents, businesses and organisations, many of whom share our concerns, to find out what they think."

Watford Observer:

Lead member for Environmental Services and Sustainability Cllr Michaels added: “I am pleased we have passed this motion.

“Climate change is an existential threat to humanity and the defining issue of our time.

“One million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction and nature everywhere declining at a speed never previously seen.

“Three Rivers has an impressive record of innovation and has already delivered some change already, such as banning single-use plastics and becoming the fourth best recyclers in the country.

“This motion doesn’t just declare a climate emergency; it commits us to do something about it and use all instruments we can to fight for the future of everyone everywhere. We all need to work together to do this.”