Labour have today announced a new raft of measures as part of the commitment for Sheffield to play its part in averting climate catastrophe.
This comes after the commitment of the February council meeting the city declared a Climate Emergency.
At today’s Full Council meeting Labour announced that:
• They will be writing to all groups on the council proposing that the July council meeting is dedicated to scrutinising the issue of the Climate Emergency, to consider the research that is currently being undertaken to consider how Sheffield can bring forward the 2050 target to become carbon neutral to an earlier date.
• A new commitment will be made to bring forward the city’s carbon neutral target from 2050 to a minimum of 2030, following work with stakeholders since February and Labour’s local manifesto commitments
• A Citizens Assembly will be commissioned to consider the necessary actions in the city to implement this change. It will be drawn to represent all parts of the city, including young people.
Labour have highlighted tackling the Climate Emergency as a top priority for the city going forward and appointed Councillor Lewis Dagnall as a new Cabinet Lead dedicated to climate change last month.
Councillor Julie Dore, Leader of Sheffield City Council said,
“We have seen a phenomenal coming together of people across the city to make it clear that the climate emergency must be tackled and more must be done locally, nationally and globally. Ultimately this is about the future of our city and our world for our children and young people and that’s why it’s been so good to see young people at the forefront of the campaign.
“It’s important that we keep the momentum in the city and that’s why we are looking to present the research that has been undertaken in July and to allow the public to come to this meeting and engage in this debate.”
Councillor Lewis Dagnall, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change said:
“As a city we came together in February to declare a climate emergency and we have been working with the Green City Partnership to work out our next steps. I am delighted to be able to announce today that we will be committing the city to a minimum of 2030 as our carbon neutral target.
“We are confident that the research we are currently undertaking will be ready next month, so we start a full and frank debate about the actions we need to take as soon as possible. I would propose to bring the report before all Councillors at the July Council meeting.
“If we are to seriously address some of the big decisions and debates we will need to have the fullest participation from all parts of our city, including the next generation. A Citizens’ Assembly provides a bold way of engaging the people of Sheffield in responding to the climate emergency.”
