LEADING councillors in Copeland have agreed a ‘position statement’ setting out their commitment to tackle climate change.

The executive has also endorsed the production of a climate charter which will formally establish the authority’s own action plan.

A meeting this week heard that this approach would allow the council to thrash out a long-term plan rather than being “rushed into” making environmental promises they were unable to keep.

Coun David Moore said: “Lots of councils have been rushed into declaring these ‘climate emergencies’, and I think that traps you into positions that are undeliverable and set clear priorities that maybe aren’t the best for us.”

The authority’s chief executive Pat Graham said the council would take a “pragmatic approach” to climate change, “not promising things we can’t deliver but starting with the things we absolutely can.”

It is also hoped that the adoption of the position statement will allow the council to be in the “best position” to capitalise on an expected increase in the number of green energy grants available from Government in the years to come.

In the statement, the council recognises that the climate crisis represents a “human-made threat” and is already having “far-reaching, irreversible effects on populations, places, economies, society and the natural environment, locally, nationally and globally.”

It welcomes the Government’s amendment to the Climate Change Act of 2008, which commits to a Net Zero Carbon UK by 2050, as well as the county council’s pledge to a Net Zero Carbon target for Cumbria.

It adds that more be done to combat the crisis, with Copeland having already suffered the effects of climate change such as flooding.

The position statement also recognises that the council has “already taken steps” to tackle environmental issues, citing the launch of a kerbside recycling scheme for residents, reducing the carbon footprint of its fleet and protecting its open spaces.

Copeland’s mayor Mike Starkie said: “We all want to see our borough as carbon neutral as we can. What Copeland council can do is set an example. I can emphasise again that we are committed.”