After meeting with local youth climate protesters, R4U led Uttlesford District Council has committed to urging the secretary of state for more powers for local authorities for their eco-agendas, and has dedicated youth seats on the local Climate Working Group.
Last Friday a Climate Strike was held by Uttlesford students to show their desire for continued action on Climate Change. Afterwards the group were welcomed to the Uttlesford District Council offices to meet with UDC Leader Cllr John Lodge, and council chair Cllr Richard Freeman.
John Lodge (R4U)R4U’s Cllr Lodge continued “We are probably the most eco-progressive council in the country. Our agenda has already started to tackle the ’Big Three’ environmental issues: air quality, biodiversity and carbon reduction. For example our landmark decision last month to refuse a huge polluting expansion of Stansted Airport, which has prevented the dumping of more than 1 million tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere every year. To put that into perspective it would require a forest 30x the size of Uttlesford to absorb it.”
Cllr Lodge concluded “Change starts at the grass roots level before Westminster takes notice, and climate protests like this help drive the agenda. Instead of more hollow targets, what we actually need from central government is responsible legislation and localised powers and budgets to enable councils to act quickly and decisively on Climate Change. After the youth climate protest I have committed to write to the new Secretary of State for the environment to demand the government do more, and I urge the protesters to do the same.”