Agenda item

NOTICE OF MOTION SUBMITTED BY COUNCILLOR ROB JAMES:-

“This Council:

 

·         Notes that Carmarthenshire Council unanimously declared a climate emergency earlier this year, with a commit to make the County Council a net zero carbon local authority by 2030.

·         Notes the conclusions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that “we are already seeing the consequences of 1°C of global warming through more extreme weather, rising sea levels and diminishing Arctic sea ice”;

·         Notes that the IPCC report stated that global emissions of carbon dioxide must peak by 2020 to keep the planet below 1.5C;

·         Notes the campaigning and research by Extinction Rebellion, Friends of the Earth and others, on the holdings Local Government Pension funds, including Dyfed, have in fossil fuels companies;

·         Believes that current plans are nowhere near strong enough to keep temperatures below the so-called safe limit.

·         Calls on Dyfed Pension Fund to divest from fossil fuels within the next two years and invest the funds in local renewable energy schemes.”

Minutes:

[Note: Councillors E.Dole, G.R. Jones, G.H. John, M.J.A. Lewis, B.A.L. Roberts, E.M.J.G. Schiavone and J. Tremlett, and declared an interest in this item and left the Council Chamber prior to the consideration and determination thereof. All officers who were members of the Pension Scheme (apart from the Principal Democratic Services Officer, who remained to take notes and the Member Services Assistant who remained) also left the Council Chamber]

 

Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Rob James:-

 

This Council:

  • Notes that Carmarthenshire Council unanimously declared a climate emergency earlier this year, with a commit to make the County Council a net zero carbon local authority by 2030.
  • Notes the conclusions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that “we are already seeing the consequences of 1°C of global warming through more extreme weather, rising sea levels and diminishing Arctic sea ice”;
  • Notes that the IPCC report stated that global emissions of carbon dioxide must peak by 2020 to keep the planet below 1.5C; Page 3
  • Notes the campaigning and research by Extinction Rebellion, Friends of the Earth and others, on the holdings Local Government Pension funds, including Dyfed, have in fossil fuels companies;
  • Believes that current plans are nowhere near strong enough to keep temperatures below the so-called safe limit.
  • Calls on Dyfed Pension Fund to divest from fossil fuels within the next two years and invest the funds in local renewable energy schemes.”

 

The Motion was duly seconded.

 

The following amendment to the motion was proposed by Councillor C.Jones and was duly seconded:

 

“This Council:

·         Notes that Carmarthenshire Council unanimously declared a climate emergency earlier this year, with a commit to make the County Council a net zero carbon local authority by 2030;

·         Notes the conclusions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change (IPCC) that 2we are already seeing the consequences of 1C of global warming through more extreme weather, rising sea levels and diminishing Arctic sea ice”;

·         Notes that the IPCC report stated that global emissions of carbon dioxide must peak by 2020 to keep the planet below 1.5C;

·         Notes the campaigning and research by Extinction rebellion, Friends of the Earth and others, on the holdings Local Government Pension fund, including Dyfed, have in fossil fuel companies;

·         Believes that current plans are nowhere near strong enough to keep temperatures below the so-called safe limit;

·         Welcomes that the Dyfed Pension Fund has already committed to investing in renewables as part of the Wales Pension Partnership and is very much focused on its Climate Change commitment whilst acknowledging its overall fiduciary responsibilities;

·         Calls on the Dyfed Pension Fund to consider reducing its investment in fossil fuels.”

 

The proposer and seconder of the Amendment were afforded the opportunity of speaking in support thereof and outlined the reasons for its submission.

 

A number of statements were made in support of both the motion and the amendment. 

 

Following discussions, the proposer with agreement of the seconder agreed to withdraw the Amendment.  Council thereupon proceeded to vote on the Motion and it was

 

RESOLVED that the Motion be supported and referred to the Dyfed Pension Fund Committee for consideration.

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