Decision details

NOTICE OF MOTION UNDER STANDING ORDER 13

Decision status: For Determination

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

The following Notice of Motion Under Standing Order 13 was before the Council for consideration:-

 

Motion

 

Climate Emergency – Argyll and Bute

Argyll and Bute Council:

  1. Renews the commitment made by this council two years ago, in September 2019, to playing its part in the global effort to address climate challenges, and declares a climate emergency.  

 

  1. Acknowledges the United Nations’ warning of a ‘Code Red for Humanity’ situation in relation to tackling climate change, following the publication of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report Climate Change 2021 – The Physical Science Basis’;

 

  1. Welcomes the significant actions that the council has been taking in recent years, highlighted in Appendix 1, to ensure that Argyll and Bute improves even further its current positive position and low carbon emissions levels and continues to make a significant contribution, with our communities and partners, to fighting the critical impact of climate change;

 

  1. Reaffirms our determination to contribute to tackling the impacts of climate change at local, regional and national levels wherever possible, by agreeing together today that this vital work will continue as a priority for this council, expanding where possible and where necessary as identified through the Action Plan and ongoing monitoring that is already in place.

 

Moved by Councillor Robin Currie, seconded by Councillor Yvonne McNeilly.

 

Amendment

 

The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change report shows that we still have time to limit warming below 1.5ºC if we act decisively and immediately. The International Energy Agency’s last report supported the halting of all new oil and gas exploration, something the Strathclyde Pension Fund (SPF) is currently funding. The Strathclyde Pension Fund, which represents 12 Local Authorities including Argyll and Bute Council, currently invests over £508 million in fossil fuel companies such as BP and Shell, which are still exploring for new oil fields. 

Fossil Fuel divestment is a practical, legal and responsible way for pension funds to respond to climate change and avoid financial risk. Although the SPF has agreed to assess the climate credentials of its investments, it is important that they set strict enough criteria and work to a timescale which reflects the urgency of the crisis. 

Council therefore agrees to request the trustees of the SPF (Strathclyde Pension Fund) divest from any investments in fossil fuels which have warmed the planet already to 1.1°C above pre industrial levels. 

Council agrees with the view held by the movement Time for Change that we have a “Climate Emergency” which needs urgent political action on a global scale to return us to a safe operating space within our planetary boundaries.  In declaring a Climate Emergency we will be joining over 230 local authorities in recognising the immediacy and severity of the crisis and holding ourselves accountable for implementing a scientific pathway to limit warming to less than 1.5ºC. 

Council agrees to write to the UK and Scottish Government’s in these terms urging them to take immediate action to tackle this grave issue and do all within their power to return us to  a pathway of less than 1.5ºC warming. 

Moved by Councillor Philand, seconded by Councillor Moffat.

 

As the meeting was being held on a virtual basis the vote required to be taken by calling the Roll and Members voted as follows –

 

Motion

Amendment

 

Councillor Anderson

Councillor Freeman

Councillor Armour

Councillor Moffat

Councillor Blair

Councillor Philand

Councillor Colville

 

Councillor Currie

 

Councillor Devon

 

Councillor Douglas

 

Councillor Findlay

 

Councillor Forrest

 

Councillor Good

 

Councillor Green

 

Councillor Hardie

 

Councillor Horn

 

Councillor Kinniburgh

 

Councillor Lynch

 

Councillor MacMillan BEM

 

Councillor McCabe

 

Councillor McKenzie

 

Councillor McNeilly

 

Councillor Morton

 

Councillor Mulvaney

 

Councillor Paterson

 

Councillor Penfold

 

Councillor Redman

 

Councillor Reid

 

Councillor Robertson

 

Councillor Taylor

 

Councillor Trail

 

Councillor Vennard

 

 

Decision

 

The Motion was carried by 29 votes to 3 and became the finding of the Council.

Publication date: 04/10/2021

Date of decision: 30/09/2021

Decided at meeting: 30/09/2021 - Argyll and Bute Council

Accompanying Documents: