Portsmouth council backs climate change bill

Members of Portsmouth City Council have officially backed the climate and ecological emergency (CEE) bill, which was created by scientists and academics, but still needs the formal approval of government to pass as law.

So far 102 MPs have signed their names to the bill, which asks for a number of actions including the declaration of a national climate emergency and the creation of citizens’ assemblies to work on a climate change strategy.

Speaking at a virtual full council meeting yesterday (March 16), Councillor Will Purvis, asked his peers to show their support. He said: 'The climate emergency is real. This is not a niche issue or owned by any campaign group or political party. It affects all of us.

'We are the last generation that can do something about this before it's too late.

'Now is not the time for excuses, it's the time for decisive action. We have seen how the country could come together for Covid, let's apply that to supporting this.'

However, some councillors believed the council should be debating climate change at a more local level.

Tory Cllr Matt Atkins said: ‘This isn’t really a local issue, a bill going through parliament. Of course climate change effects us.’

And Cllr Scott Payter-Harris, said it was ‘hypocritical’ for the council administration to support the bill while pressing ahead with plans for 4,000 homes at Tipner West.

He said: ‘They are saying they care about biodiversity. They are saying one thing and doing another.’

But Cllr Hugh Mason said: ‘It has been suggested this is not relevant to Portsmouth. If the climate emergency is not tackled it will be relevant to Portsmouth because there won’t be a Portsmouth any more.’

Members of Extinction Rebellion (XR) Southsea and the CEE Bill Alliance Portsmouth had called on the authority to back the bill, and earlier in the day displayed an art installation in front of the civic offices to represent the threat of climate change.

SEE ALSO: More than 12,000 people sign petition against Tipner West scheme

XR Southsea and CEE Bill Alliance member, Selma Heimedinger, said: 'In the coronavirus pandemic we have seen how quickly an emergency response can be put into place when lives are at risk. The climate emergency is no different. There is no excusable reason why we are continuing to put money into fossil fuel infrastructure and heat our planet to deadly consequences.

'We have spent our lifetimes destroying the planet which keeps us alive, it's time for restoration, protection and regeneration. Let's do it united, not divided.'

The council will now write to Portsmouth’s MPs, asking them to support the bill.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news online - as well as fewer adverts, access to our digital edition and mobile app.

Our trial offer starts at just £2 a month for the first two months.