Uttlesford Conservatives postpone decision to sign up for 10:10

10.04.00pm GMT Tue 27th Oct 2009

Liberal Democrats on Uttlesford District Council proposed a motion to the Council meeting on 20th October calling on the Council to join the many other councils who have signed up to the "10:10 Campaign" which seeks to persuade individuals, businesses and organisations to reduce their CO2 emissions by 10% in 2010. The Conservatives proposed an amendment, which will see a delay in signing up to the campaign and calling for a report on the Council's progress on its strategy to the next Full Council in December.

Cllr Catherine Dean, Member for Henham and Elsenham and Environment spokesperson, said "We had proposed a motion asking Uttlesford District Council to support the aims and ambitions of the 10:10 Campaign, to send a clear message that the Council is prepared to take robust action to reduce its carbon emissions, and to signal to the government that when it attends the Copenhagen Climate Summit in December, it has a mandate to sign up to take strong measures to reduce global CO2 emissions."

Speaking about the proposal, Councillor Peter Wilcock, Liberal Democrat Group Leader, "I am extremely disappointed at the decision of the Conservatives not to join the 10:10 Campaign now. One of the aims of the campaign is to galvanise action by individuals - 40% of the UK's CO2 emissions being a result of personal choice. The Council, as a community leader, is in an excellent position to lead by example and encourage businesses and individuals to make the same commitment."

"The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which meets in Copenhagen in December, may be the world's last chance to negotiate a deal that will avert the worst consequences of climate change. To ensure a breakthrough at the critical Copenhagen conference, government ministers need to know that there is public support for more dramatic cuts in emissions than have hitherto been proposed. Sadly, an important opportunity has been missed."

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