Lib Dems slam Erewash climate change policy

At the last meeting of Erewash Borough Council (10 October) a policy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 was adopted, declaring that they would support the transition away from petrol and diesel cars, encourage tree-planting, and use planning powers to make new homes more efficient.

But the one Liberal Democrat on the council, Robert Mee (West Hallam and Dale Abbey), in his first speech since being elected in May, called the motion "half-hearted", and blasted the policy for including no firm commitments. Supporting a Labour amendment, which was defeated, Councillor Mee demanded radical action to achieve zero carbon emissions across the borough by 2030, accusing the Conservative controlled council of "tootling along until 2050, hoping that the government will sort it all out for us". He added, "If we don't all do something, the human race is on its way out, and there's little point us saving money for the future if we haven't got a future".

Figures from Friends of the Earth showed Erewash to be underperforming on virtually all measures. Many other councils, large and small, have committed to carbon-zero dates between 2030 and 2040. For Erewash to say 2050 shows just how out of touch with the climate emergency they are.

The Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, James Archer, added: "The Conservatives on Erewash Borough Council demonstrated the same lack of commitment to fighting the climate emergency that the Tories in government have shown for the last 4 years. We need to invest now in reducing our emissions if future generations are to be able to live on this planet, and Erewash has failed to commit to any investment now or ever with this motion. What's more frustrating is that, as well as eliminating emissions, these investments in green projects can actually reduce the running costs of the council and council tax payers."