West Midlands Combined Authority declares climate emergency

The motion was put forward by Solihull leader and portfolio holder for the environment councillor Ian Courts on Friday, during a discussion on the future direction of the environment portfolio.

And the idea was applauded by representatives from Birmingham Youth Strike 4 Climate, who addressed council leaders about the scale of the issue during the meeting.

Addressing the board, councillor courts said: “What I’m asking for today is a recognition of how important this is from the board, for support in developing a deadline target, and a transition plan that is robust, credible and fair.

“But I want to add a third recommendation to the report today, and that would be that this board is recommended to declare a climate emergency, requiring urgent action and agree to receive a paper to the board with proposed regional targets for carbon reduction in July, and to agree a practical action plan in the Autumn.

“And I hope you will all agree with that additional recommendation.”

The motion was backed unanimously by everyone present at the board meeting, with many voicing their opinion that the issue was the most important facing the world at the moment.

However leader of Birmingham City Council, Ian Ward, also had some words of caution for members, urging them to ensure that the poorest in society did not suffer as a result of efforts to curb carbon emissions.

“I absolutely agree that this is the most important issue facing us today,” he said.

“But when Birmingham declared its climate emergency, we also included the caveat that our efforts would not further impoverish already deprived communities in seeking to achieve that. And I do think that’s very very important.

“Just to give you some examples, in order to achieve a net zero carbon position by 2030, every gas boiler in every home across the city would have to be removed and replaced with electric. Solar panels would have to be fitted to the roofs of every single home in the city. Every petrol and diesel car would have to be removed from the roads, and replaced by either electric or hybrid vehicles.

“In order to do these things, it’s going to come at a cost. Hence this statement, that we would not wish to further impoverish already deprived communities.”