8th June 2021

At a meeting of Exmouth Town Council on May 4th, 2021, Councillors received a recommendation from its Climate and Ecological Emergency Working Party to support the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill.

In June 2019, Exmouth Town Councillors declared a Climate Emergency and resolved to give the highest priority to using all the Council’s influence to work with others on developing carbon reduction plans and other environmental threats. Councillors recognised the vital urgency of this work and agreed to press the case for the speediest possible reductions in carbon dioxide emissions and other environmental mitigation measures, including the Town Council’s own carbon footprint.

It was agreed that the Council’s major impact would be persuading and advocating for change by working with higher tier authorities to deliver this plan through all relevant means and further recognised that sustainability needs to be incorporated into economic and strategic frameworks and plans at a national level through appropriate legislation.

After Exmouth Town Council voted by majority to support the CEE Bill in May, the Council wrote to East Devon MP Simon Jupp to seek his support in Parliament for the Bill. In particular, Councillors believed that the emissions linked to the production and import of consumable goods from overseas into the UK need addressing urgently and that the Government should give more weight to the protection and conservation of habitats in the UK and internationally.

Councillor Tim Dumper, Chair of the Council’s Climate and Ecological Emergency Working Party added that, “Other Councils in Devon, including the County Council, back this Parliamentary Bill, recognising that it brings much needed integrated strategic thinking to this essential work. Crucially, it also proposes involvement by the public through work in a citizens’ assembly. At a more local level, Devon County Council is already preparing for a citizen’s assembly to discuss difficult issues at the end of this month.“

More information on what Exmouth Town Council is doing in response to the Climate Emergency, including Working Party notes, can be found on the Council’s website.