The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 12 of the Meeting Procedure Rules has been proposed by Councillor Chris Rigby and seconded by Councillor Simon Bull:-
Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Motion
For reference https://fossilfueltreaty.org/home
This Council
1. Notes the “Glasgow Pact” Agreed at COP26 in November 2021 recognizes that the impacts of climate change will be much lower at the temperature increase of 1.5 °C compared with 2 °C and resolves to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C
2. Notes the same document Calls upon Parties to accelerate the development, deployment and dissemination of technologies, and the adoption of policies, to transition towards low-emission energy systems, including by rapidly scaling up the deployment of clean power generation and energy efficiency measures, including accelerating efforts towards the phasedown of unabated coal power and phase-out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, while providing targeted support to the poorest and most vulnerable in line with national circumstances and recognizing the need for support towards a just transition;
3. Notes that the recent report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), has been described as ‘a code red for humanity’ by the Secretary General of the United Nations
4. Notes that global governments and the fossil fuel industry are currently planning to produce an estimated 120% more emissions by 2030 than what is needed to limit warming to 1.5°C and avert catastrophic climate disruption, and that this risks undermining global efforts to reduce climate-changing pollution
5. Notes that the economic opportunities presented by a clean energy transition far outweigh the opportunities presented by an economy supported by expanding fossil fuel use and extraction
6. Notes BCP Councils own declaration of a climate and ecological emergency in July 2019
7. Notes BCP Council and the wider community is committed to targets of net zero by 2030 and the BCP conurbation target of net zero by 2050, and recognises the current work underway to meet these targets
8. Believes that BCP Council should be committed, as part of our Climate Emergency response, to a just energy transition and to ambitious investments in green infrastructure and industries that will create jobs and rapidly decarbonize our economy;
9. Recognises a new global initiative is underway calling for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty that would end new fossil fuel exploration and expansion, phase out existing production in line with the global commitment to limit warming to 1.5°C, and accelerate a just transition to renewable energy
10. Notes that other leading cities including Barcelona, Toronto, Los Angeles, Sydney, and Cambridge (UK) have endorsed the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
11. Therefore, BCP Council endorses the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
12. Further that the relevant portfolio holder, on behalf of BCP Council send a letter to the Prime Minister of The United Kingdom urging the UK Government to support the global initiative for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Minutes:
The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 12 of the Meeting Procedure Rules was moved by Councillor Chris Rigby and seconded by Councillor Simon Bull:
This Council
1. Notes the “Glasgow Pact” Agreed at COP26 in November 2021 recognizes that the impacts of climate change will be much lower at the temperature increase of 1.5°C compared with 2°C and resolves to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C
2. Notes the same document Calls upon Parties to accelerate the development, deployment and dissemination of technologies, and the adoption of policies, to transition towards low-emission energy systems, including by rapidly scaling up the deployment of clean power generation and energy efficiency measures, including accelerating efforts towards the phasedown of unabated coal power and phase-out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, while providing targeted support to the poorest and most vulnerable in line with national circumstances and recognizing the need for support towards a just transition;
3. Notes that the recent report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), has been described as ‘a code red for humanity’ by the Secretary General of the United Nations
4. Notes that global governments and the fossil fuel industry are currently planning to produce an estimated 120% more emissions by 2030 than what is needed to limit warming to 1.5°C and avert catastrophic climate disruption, and that this risks undermining global efforts to reduce climate-changing pollution
5. Notes that the economic opportunities presented by a clean energy transition far outweigh the opportunities presented by an economy supported by expanding fossil fuel use and extraction
6. Notes BCP Councils own declaration of a climate and ecological emergency in July 2019
7. Notes BCP Council and the wider community is committed to targets of net zero by 2030 and the BCP conurbation target of net zero by 2050, and recognises the current work underway to meet these targets
8. Believes that BCP Council should be committed, as part of our Climate Emergency response, to a just energy transition and to ambitious investments in green infrastructure and industries that will create jobs and rapidly decarbonize our economy;
9. Recognises a new global initiative is underway calling for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty that would end new fossil fuel exploration and expansion, phase out existing production in line with the global commitment to limit warming to 1.5°C, and accelerate a just transition to renewable energy
10. Notes that other leading cities including Barcelona, Toronto, Los Angeles, Sydney, and Cambridge (UK) have endorsed the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
11. Therefore, BCP Council endorses the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
12. Further that the relevant portfolio holder, on behalf of BCP Council send a letter to the Prime Minister of The United Kingdom urging the UK Government to support the global initiative for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Councillor Chris Rigby presented the motion which would compliment the ongoing work which BCP Council was doing and the Climate Action Plan. He referred to the in-depth scrutiny of ongoing work considered at the Overview and Scrutiny Board last week and recommended that Councillors view the stream of the meeting. Councillor Rigby reported that the motion essentially was to sign up to the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. The Treaty was designed to compliment the Paris Agreement and address the fact that coal, gas and oil were not mentioned in it. Members were informed that it was to prevent fossil fuel exploration and expansion and ensure a managed phase out of fossil fuel production to limit global warming whilst still ensuring a fair and just transition to renewable energy. Councillor Rigby explained who had endorsed the Treaty which included a programme to create a standalone registry around the globe of fossil fuels to ensure that there was transparency and accountability of all production and reserves. Members were informed that at COP26 in Glasgow it had been hoped to see a change however, the fossil fuel industry had the largest delegation at the conference and were reluctant to address the ‘elephant in the room’. Councillor Rigby referred to the approach by BCP Council and other local authorities in declaring a climate emergency which the Government had not. He explained that if the Council want to work towards a carbon neutral future it was up to local authorities to take the lead. Councillor Bull seconded the motion and reserved his right to speak.
Councillor Mike Greene reported that the Council had taken huge steps in the fight against climate change and in particular tackling reliance on the use of fossil fuels. Councillor Greene outlined the action taken including moving all of the Council’s electricity consumption to a supply which comes entirely from renewables. The Council’s entire fleet had been moved from diesel to hydrogenated vegetable oil reducing fleet emissions by 90%. Councillor Greene reported that he had presented the Climate Action plan to the Overview and Scrutiny Board and hoped that Cabinet would endorse it at its meeting tomorrow. He emphasised that the Council was fully committed to reducing its and the whole geographical areas reliance on fossil fuel. Councillor Greene explained that he absolutely supported the direction and underlying will of the motion. However, there were clauses in it where he was not in possession of the facts or the studies that would allow him to accurately understand what the consequences might be. He highlighted the need to have access to the relevant research and data to be able to make an informed decision.
Councillor Greene moved that under meeting Procedure Rule 9.1 Appendix 1 Paragraph 4 that Council refers the above motion to the Overview and Scrutiny Board for its consideration, examination, discussion and the attention it deserves. This proposal was seconded by Councillor Kelsey.
Councillor Fear raised a point of order under 38 section 13 and moved that the question be now put.
Councillor Hedges, Chairman reported that at this juncture he would like further debate. Councillor Mike Greene asked that if there was any debate that should be whether the motion should be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Board.
The Monitoring Officer reported that Councillor Fear had put a closure motion forward that the question now be put. However, the Chair needed to be satisfied before he accepted such a motion that there had been sufficient debate. The Chair had used his discretion and requested further debate on the motion put forward by Councillor Greene.
Councillor Bartlett asked for clarification on the rule being applied to refer this to the Overview and Scrutiny Board. The Monitoring Officer reported that the referral to Overview and Scrutiny Board would be for a report back to Council so the Board would not be requested to take a decision but to look at the matter for report back to Council as laid out in the Constitution.
Councillor Hadley indicated that he regretted the way debate had been closed down on the motion. He suggested that the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee would be an ideal place for this to be discussed. He explained that it was a key part of having an ambitious climate change strategy having vision to be leaders.
Councillor Rigby asked if this was referred back to Overview and Scrutiny could there be a time limit of potentially 3-6 months. Councillor Greene indicated that he was unsure if that was permissible within his proposal. However, he indicated that he would support the suggested timeframe and in respect of the reference to the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee he believed that was an option.
The Council then voted on the following moved by Councillor Mike Greene and seconded by Councillor Kelsey which was carried:
That under meeting Procedure Rule 9.1 Appendix 1 Paragraph 4 that Council refers the above motion to the Overview and Scrutiny Board for its consideration, examination, discussion and the attention it deserves.
Voting – For – 53, Against – 4, Abstentions – 8