Council votes to cut Leeds' carbon 40%

Leeds residents are celebrating after Leeds City Council voted to cut city-wide carbon emissions 40% by 2020.

Leeds residents are celebrating after Leeds City Council voted to cut city-wide carbon emissions 40% by 2020 which will put Leeds at the forefront of the green business boom and help stop a climate crisis.

The move by Leeds City Council to cut emissions is a success for the Leeds: Get Serious About CO2 campaign, run by a Leeds coalition of citizens groups. The coalition carried out a campaign to mobilise voters to petition councillors to adopt the 40% cut in CO2 emissions.

Gavin McNaughton, from Leeds Friends of the Earth, said: "We're delighted that the campaign has been so successful and Leeds can look forward to a great green future. It just shows the power of the people in Leeds to make a difference.

"Leeds was at the forefront of the industrial revolution. This commitment will put Leeds at the forefront of the low carbon economy revolution."

The decision will lead to more green jobs, a stronger local economy, and lower fuel bills for the people of Leeds.

Matt Carmichael, from Stop Climate Chaos Leeds, said: "We are proud to belong to a city with an inspiring vision of how we can respond to climate change in a way which improves the lives of ordinary people. This planet belongs to all of us, no matter what our political persuasion, and tonight's vote is a great example of that. The same spirit of cooperation will be needed to live up to its commitments."

Leeds joins Manchester, Bristol, Harrogate, Durham and Surrey who have already committed to cutting city-wide carbon emissions by at least 40% by 2020. The whole of Scotland has gone for 42% by 2020 while London has committed to 60% by 2025 and Birmingham has committed to 60% by 2026.

For analysis of the motion passed click here, and for a report on the council meeting click here.

For more info contact Lucy Glynn lucyhglynn[AT]hotmail.com 07527 110569

NOTES:
Leeds: Get Serious About CO2 is a campaign to lobby Leeds City Council to deliver cuts of 40% by 2020 in Leeds’ total CO2 emissions. It is run by a coalition led by Leeds Friends of the Earth, including Schumacher North, Stop Climate Chaos Leeds and TIDAL.
For more information visit www.getseriousaboutco2.com

Contact email: imchrisjohnston@googlemail.com