Aylesbury Vale Extinction Rebellion Group call on council to 'do more' in wake of carbon audit

On Monday February 10 Buckinghamshire County Council discussed the Carbon Audit.

The outgoing Buckinghamshire County Council (soon to be replaced by the Buckinghamshire Council) have made several promises of 'positive action':

1. Continued commitment to low landfill and high recycling rates

2. Developing ideas to create more wild meadow land, including planting highways verges with wild-flowers & planting more hedgerows and woodland.

3. Regulation of developers, particularly house-builders, to ensure low energy homes and compliance with sustainable urban drainage scheme guidance.

4. Completion of a carbon audit of Council activity to be used as a ‘base line’ for the new Unitary Authority to create effective policy to reduce carbon emissions.

Chris Wozencroft, from AVXR said: "Although AVXR welcomes these measures, this is not enough – these proposals lack the scale and urgency that the climate emergency demands.

"Authorities often ‘talk the talk’ but rarely walk the walk. AVXR will be watching local politicians to ensure they live up to their promises.

"Martin Tett [leader of the Council] even claimed to be “personally passionate” about many of these issues, but words are not enough. To date local policies have been limited to easy wins and rhetoric, not credible action.

"The cabinet did not mention divestment from fossil fuels [e.g. in the pension fund] and no mention was made of sustainable public transport. The extent and quality of public transport in rural Buckinghamshire is shamefully inadequate."

The action group has also hit out the council for what they see as an 'unambitious' net zero carbon emissions target, despite other authorities like Oxfordshire Council having committed to a 2030 target.

Chris continued: "There is a way forward possible and BCC need to take the lead here.

"Candidates in the upcoming elections should remember that AVDC and Chiltern District have both shown leadership in embracing the 2030 target, and these commitments should be recognised by the Unitary Authority.

"It was disappointing to see some of the cabinet holding on to long since discredited ideas about climate science, e.g. insisting that the UK’s 1% carbon contribution be recognised.

A stronger and more comprehensive vision is required. A prosperous county like ours should be leading the way, not being shamed by more inspirational councils like Oxford."

Buckinghamshire County Council have been approached for comment.