South Hams District Council has declared a climate change and biodiversity emergency.
The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 degrees Celsius was published in October 2018 and describes the enormous harm that a 2 degrees Celsius is likely to cause compared to a rise of 1.5 degrees.
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It is estimated that, globally, humans need to reduce our CO2eq (carbon equivalent) emissions from the current 6.5 tonnes per person per year to less than 2 tonnes as soon as possible. This will need ambitious action from national and sub national authorities, civil society, indigenous peoples and local communities. Current local and global plans and policies are not going to meet this target.
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Organisations and local Councils around the world are responding to this by declaring a 'Climate Emergency' and committing to address this emergency.
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After Devon County Council declared a Climate Emergency on 21 February 2019, the Devon Emergency Response Group was formed, which will facilitate effective action across a broad partnership. SHDC signed up to the Devon Climate Declaration and declared a Climate Change and Biodiversity Emergency on 25 July 2019.
As part of our commitment to tackling Climate Change and habitat loss, this website will provide hints and tips for residents, organisations and businesses in the South Hams, as well as highlighting the work that your Council is doing to reduce its own emissions. We'll also showcase the work being done by Town and Parish Councils, and Community Groups in our area.
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You can follow our progress and keep up with the latest news via this website or sign up for email newsletters. Community Groups, Organisations and Town/Parish Councils can also join our Facebook Group.
