'Climate change emergency' declared in Braddan

Local authority to ramp up greener efforts

A local authority on the Island has declared a climate change emergency.

At a public meeting of Braddan Commissioners, one of the items on the agenda saw chairman Andrew Jessopp raise the issue, following discussion of national government's public consultation on the Climate Change Mitigation Strategy 2020-2030.

Mr Jessopp argued that the process of consulting the public and deliberating further, along with the current policies of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, show the main objective is to "kick it down the road for 15 years".

"Do we have that time?" He asked.

He believes central government is attempting to put off making key decisions which would spark substantial change.

Mr Jessopp also highlighted what he thinks is a fundamental hypocrisy between seeking to implement 'green' policies, whilst actively encouraging searches for natural gas in Manx territorial waters.

But what difference can Braddan Commissioners make?

That was a question raised by a commissioner at the meeting; how far 'we' can make a difference, as a local authority, an individual, or an Island.

In response, it was thought that while a local authority can't influence decision making at a wider level, they do have a responsibility to "keep nudging" central government, in an effort to encourage national politicians.

The point was also made that if change doesn't happen at the 'top', they would try to work "from the bottom up".

In respect of what the authority is able to do, a range of options were discussed about how they might get the ball rolling.

This ranged from reducing its consumption of energy and water, to looking at different sources of heat, to what was coined more 'quick win' changes - like the possibility of using more efficient light bulbs in the commissioners' housing stock.

The board also discussed whether they could use environmental credentials as a factor when choosing between contractors, rather than making such decisions purely based upon cost and quality of service.

The authority will be undertaking a review of its internal policies and activities, with members to report back for the next meeting.

At present, national government has a public consultation out on the newest climate change mitigation strategy.

Members considered whether to respond to that consultation as an organisation.

The view among the group was that even if the impact the commissioners could make was fairly minimal, the important thing was to try and do their part in changing people's mindsets.

Mr Jessopp said, from his reading, we're 'at tipping point', and more urgency is needed.

Following the declaration of a climate emergency from the commissioners, a spokesperson from the department of environment, food and agricultural told Manx Radio the following:

"We agree with Mr Jessopp’s comments that climate change is an urgent issue and the Government is working across all of the departments to deliver a strategy that will address this.

"The recently launched consultation is an opportunity for the public to contribute to this strategy, which will have a long term effect on the everyday lives of the Manx public.