More money and resources will be put into tackling climate emergency in Portsmouth

EXTRA money and resources will be put towards tackling climate change in the city after existing efforts were branded 'limp' and 'disappointing.'
By Fiona Callingham
Published 25th Jul 2019, 07:00 BST
Updated 25th Jul 2019, 07:00 BST
Members of the Portsmouth Green Party and Extinction Rebellion outside the Guildhall earlier this year when a climate emergency was declared in the city. Picture: Fiona CallinghamMembers of the Portsmouth Green Party and Extinction Rebellion outside the Guildhall earlier this year when a climate emergency was declared in the city. Picture: Fiona Callingham
Members of the Portsmouth Green Party and Extinction Rebellion outside the Guildhall earlier this year when a climate emergency was declared in the city. Picture: Fiona Callingham

Critics requested more be done to ensure Portsmouth is carbon neutral by 2030, including designating a specific climate change council officer and doubling the budget for the council's climate change board.

Members of activist group Extinction Rebellion (XR) and Portsmouth's Labour Party made their suggestions during a cabinet meeting held yesterday (July 24) and were told councillors would be 'happy' to implement ideas.

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Nick Sebley, from the Portsmouth branch of XR, explained the report that followed the climate emergency declaration made in March did not meet his expectations.

'When we read the report we were disappointed,' he said.

'It felt like it was an unambitious start.'

Mr Sebley, who said he was speaking to protect the future of his six-month old daughter, put forward six points to be carried out by the council's newly formed climate change board.

He added: 'We ask that the terms of reference for the climate change board be arrived at through negotiation with those who originally wrote the climate emergency motion and stakeholders - the Labour group, Extinction Rebellion and Friends of the Earth.'

He also asked that a budget of £40,000 be set for the board, up from the £20,000 which has been allocated.

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Labour councillor Judith Smyth agreed. She said: 'We are months into the programme and don't seem to have made much progress.

'It's incredibly limp, it doesn't seem to have done what we had hoped by now.'

She also made recommendations such as implementing a plan to improve public transport by next year and talking to other authorities about their strategies.

The report put forward to cabinet yesterday included several measures that were prompted by the declaration of a climate emergency. These included an update from the council leader due in September about how carbon neutrality would be reached and to develop a community engagement plan.

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Speaking about suggestions made council leader Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson said: 'I think we would be happy with all of those. We're happy to work with anybody and everybody on this.'

All ideas will be considered by the council's climate change board.

Related topics:PortsmouthLabour PartyExtinction Rebellion

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