July 16, 2019 11.33 am This story is over 56 months old

Boston councillors delay climate change emergency plans

Two motions before the authority called for a climate emergency to be declared
Boston Borough Council offices in West Street.

Councillors in Boston won’t yet declare a climate emergency but have agreed to join together to tackle environmental challenges.

Two motions, which made the call but with several key differences in approach were put to Boston Borough Council.

However, instead of battling over which side was right, all sides of the chamber agreed instead to take the motions to scrutiny.

A full report will go before Environment and Performance scrutiny “as early as possible” – thought to be the September 24 meeting. A final report will be due by January 20 – though councillors called for it to be earlier if possible.

Boston Borough Council leader Councillor Aaron Spencer. Photo: Boston Borough Council

Speaking following the meeting, Councillor Aaron Spencer praised the “cross-party willingness to work together”, and said: “We have an absolute necessity to address the issue of climate change as an organisation, but we need to go into that decision with all the information.

“Just accepting a climate emergency as a carte blanche attitude towards it isn’t the responsible thing to do.”

He warned against adopting a climate emergency or “shackling ourselves to a 2030 target”, adding: “If that’s not achievable it’s just a meaningless piece of paper.

Extinction Rebellion Lincolnshire campaigners are keeping up the pressure across the county. Picture: Daniel Jaines.

“I would argue we’re being the most effective authority by looking at what’s achievable and then making a decision about what our target should be.

“There will be some changes we might look at which will be uneconomical for us, and will take an inordinate amount of money.”

Neighbouring North Kesteven District Council became the first to declare a climate emergency last week while the City of Lincoln Council yesterday announced it was going to declare a climate emergency next Tuesday.

Lincolnshire County Council rejected a motion makea declaration and become carbon neutral by 2030 back in May.

Instead, it committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

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