The Extinction Rebellion Leicester protestors outside the Town Hall.By Beatriz Ferreira and Isobel Rix
A leading Leicester City councillor has declared a climate emergency following a meeting with campaign group Extinction Rebellion Leicester at the Town Hall on Thursday night (JAN24).
The decision was made public by Councillor Adam Clarke, the Deputy City Mayor with responsibility for the Environment, on his Twitter page.
Tonight following a question from a member of the public I declared a #ClimateEmergency & will confirm this in an executive decision.
In answer to a q from @susieshimmie I reflected on our strong record – noting we need to do more in response to @COP24Katowice & @IPCC_CH— Adam Clarke 🌹 (@OweniteAdam) January 24, 2019
The activists’ ultimate aim is a national declaration of a climate emergency as they believe this will unlock the required policy changes and funds.
The group believes that Leicester should help by demonstrating successful climate change emergency initiatives.
After being recognised as Britain’s first Environment City, Leicester has now joined 15 other councils around the country which have already declared a climate emergency.
The Extinction Rebellion Leicester protestors outside the Town Hall.A member of Extinction Rebellion Leicester said: “[declaring a climate emergency will show] whether the city council will be prepared to create a citizens assembly to have an informed debate on the ecological collapse we are facing, to get to a carbon neutral future, cut pollution and waste, and attempt to rebuild our democracy to sense the interests of the population.”
He outlined the importance of getting younger generations involved: “The more students we target the better, it is their future we are talking about. This is happening now. We are staring the abyss in the face.”
Extinction Rebellion Leicester issued a statement on its Facebook page after the meeting: “The conclusion of the council’s meeting today in short was that Deputy City Mayor Councillor Clarke declared a climate emergency. These were positive words but XR Leicester will now be pursuing definite commitments from the council to recognise the urgency of our situation. A good start but more work to do. Watch this space!”
