Cornwall Council responds to call to end ‘pointless and ineffectual’ climate change policy
The local authority’s climate change policy aims for a 70 per cent reduction in its own operational carbon emissions by 2030
A full meeting of Cornwall Council has been asked if it should disband its “pointless and ineffectual” climate change portfolio.
The local authority’s climate change policy aims for a 70 per cent reduction in its own operational carbon emissions by 2030, with a further ambition to reach a 90 per cent reduction by 2040 and full net zero across the Duchy by 2045.
The council’s approach is overseen by the portfolio holder for environment and climate change, Cllr Loic Rich.
During public questions on Tuesday (19 May), Mr Hewlett, of Newquay, asked: “With the advent of satellite data, 102 climate change models on which the council’s climate crisis were based have been proven to have exaggerated the effect of CO2 on our climate.
“Is it not time to cancel the declared climate crisis and disband the pointless and ineffectual climate change portfolio?”
Cllr Rich responded: “It’s essential that all the evidence behind all of our policies at Cornwall Council is scrutinised and that includes things like net zero.
“Cornwall Council’s policy on climate change is based on science that’s delivered from the findings of a range of governmental and scientific bodies. To ensure our policies are evidence-based and to avoid bias, the council relies on sources that are transparent and the findings also undergo peer review.”
He added: “We’re aware there are people who will have a different view. It’s a fact that scientific knowledge evolves and will continue to evolve, but our understanding at this moment of time is that human activity is a primary driver of recent climate change, based on thousands of independent studies.”
He said that consensus was supported by the likes of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Met Office.
“We’re seeing climate change around us – it affects our communities, homes and economy,” added the cabinet member. “Whatever your view is, what we’re doing in Cornwall with regards to our action on climate change has an economic benefit – we’re getting £17m income for the steps that we’re taking to address the challenges of climate change.”
Mr Hewlett asked if the council would develop a cost benefit analysis to be presented in the council chamber within six months highlighting the economic advantages of continuing the climate crisis policy.