"The next five years are critical" Say Aylesbury Vale Extinction Rebellion as they push Buckinghamshire Council to bring forward zero carbon target

Buckinghamshire Council have put forward a Climate Change Motion to be discussed at the full council meeting this Wednesday, 15th July, proposing a target date of 2050 for net zero

carbon for the Council's activities, or earlier if possible.

Alan Thawley said, on behalf of Aylesbury Vale Extinction Rebellion: "With the threat of runaway climate change increasing every day, we strongly believe that 2050 is far too late

and that Buckinghamshire should follow the example set by our neighbours in Oxfordshire with a 2030 net-zero target.

"While the pandemic emergency has brought terrible tragedy and global economic impacts, the emergency of the climate and ecological crises are of completely different magnitude.

"And the next five years are critical."

Last month, the Parliamentary Committee on Climate Change said: "COVID-19 can be [must be] an historic turning point in tackling the global climate crisis.

"The Paris Agreement targets a global temperature rise threshold of well below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C, but current global plans give only a 50% chance of meeting 3°C."

“The steps that the UK takes to rebuild from the Covid-19 pandemic can accelerate the transition to a successful and low-carbon economy and improve our climate resilience,” CCC chair Lord Deben said.

“Choices that lock-in emissions or climate risks are unacceptable.”

A statement from Aylesbury Vale Extinction Rebellion:

"We therefore call on our councillors, whatever their political affiliation, to recognise the level of ambition that is required, and the focused action that is needed in response.

"We urge them to support amendments to the Motion, such as that tabled by the Green Party councillor David Lyons, that would ensure the new council sets a target of 2030 – a date that

had already received cross-party support from the old Aylesbury Vale District Council and Chiltern Council."

They went on to say they appreciate the council's resources are stretched, but sacrifices must be made to 'safeguard our children and grandchildren’s future'.

They continued: "We appreciate that the council’s resources are stretched and that it has had a lot to deal with during the pandemic, but in order to safeguard our children and grandchildren’s future, there can be no higher priority than urgent action on climate change.

"Every pound spent that does not consider the impact on carbon emissions is a pound not only wasted, but a pound that contributes to the destruction of all our futures.

"All council policies and procedures should each be measured against their impact on the climate and the environment. A clear target of 2030 with priority planning and monitoring must form the core of this new Climate Change Motion."