Surrey County Council declares a climate emergency

Surrey County Council declares a climate emergency

On Tuesday 9th July 2019, Surrey County Council unanimously agreed to declare a climate emergency.

Local environment campaigners were out in force at the County Hall meeting, and reacted with applause and cheers to the supportive speeches and declaration of the climate emergency.

Lib Dem County Councillor for Woking South, Will Forster, said:

"I am delighted Surrey County Council unanimously supported the motion that I seconded. By the Council declaring a climate emergency and setting out a process to meet this challenge, it took a vital step in combating climate change. Climate change is unquestionably one of the biggest issues of our time."

"Although I would have liked the County Council to have taken this action earlier this year, when a similar motion to declare a climate emergency was proposed, Conservatives were not on board then, but I am pleased they are now. This motion represents the start of a journey towards a greener Surrey."

Following the declaration of a climate emergency, Surrey Council will set up a cross-party task group to oversee the creation of a strategy to strive towards carbon neutrality.