Calls for climate promise from local election candidates
Monday, 19 April 2021
An alliance of Calderdale Green New Deal, Calderdale Friends of the Earth, Calderdale Stand Up to Racism, Calderdale Trades Council and a growing number of businesses and community groups have written to all candidates of all parties, standing for Seats on Calderdale Council in the local elections on May 6th.
The alliance is calling on all candidates to pledge to take strong action on the climate and ecological emergencies should they get elected in May.
The election comes at a crucial time as Calderdale Council draws up its Climate Action Plan which will set out how the Council will cut carbon emissions from buildings, transport, waste and other parts of the economy to meet its target of Net Zero emissions by 2038.
Candidates have been asked to sign up to this pledge: 'If elected I pledge to ensure our council works with local communities to rapidly implement a Climate Action Plan which drastically cuts emissions over the next 10 years, and that the climate & ecological emergency is the top priority in all council actions.'
Dick Dyer, Campaigner from Calderdale Green New Deal commented: Public interest and concern about the climate and ecological emergency is at an all time high, it's a brave politician who chooses to ignore this. The next few years are absolutely critical in deciding whether we will avert a climate and ecological catastrophe. We call on all local candidates to rise to this challenge and commit to taking strong action for all of us"
Local businessman John Ainscough owner of Blazing Saddles cycle shop in Hebden Bridge commented, "As a local business we back this pledge, not only to protect our future but also because we recognise the huge potential of strong action to generate many green jobs in our area. It should also give a boost to local business as consumers shift to buying more locally produced goods and services"
Rashida Islam from Calderdale Stand Up to Racism commented: "We are backing the pledge because the impacts of the climate and ecological emergency will fall hardest on those already disadvantaged in our society, both locally and globally and that is often the poorest and people of colour. All communities need to be consulted and involved in action to tackle the climate and ecological emergency, particularly those on the frontline of its impacts"
Kevin Stannard, Chair of Calderdale Trades Council commented:
"After the devastation wrought by the pandemic, we need to build back better. And that means a sustainable future, with quality, well-paid, sustainable jobs and prospects for our young and unemployed. It also means boldly confronting the climate crisis. Calderdale Trades Council calls on all local candidates, to support the Green New Deal so that we can transition to a greener, lower carbon West Yorkshire, where nobody gets left behind."
The list of local organisations backing the candidate pledge so far includes:
- Todmorden Learning Centre and Community Hub
- Incredible Edible Todmorden
- 3 Valleys Vegans
- 'Waiting for Dawn' Calderdale choir
- NHGS Eco Club
- Calderdale Trades Council
- Valley Organics Wholefoods
- Blazing Saddles Cycles (Hebden Bridge)
- Tod Almighty Wholefoods (Todmorden)
- Safe Spaces
- Greenage Windows (Walsden)
- Friendly soap
- The Golden Lion (Todmorden)
- Bramleys Mortgage Centre
- Waterside Gym
- Suma Wholefoods
- Calderdale Friends of the Earth
- Calderdale Extinction Rebellion
- Calderdale Green New Deal
- Survivors of Torture Activity Fund
- Calderdale Stand Up to Racism
- Calderdale people's Assembly Against Austerity
- Treesponsibility
- Incredible Farm
Thanks to Dick Dyer for this news item
See also: HebWeb News - Calderdale Council and West Yorkshire Mayor Elections