Glasgow should be able to “lead the way” on faster and fairer climate action as it continues its mission to meet the 2030 net zero emissions.
A motion is being presented to full council this Thursday by green councillor Jon Molyneux that council leader Susan Aitken should demand a global response at next month’s Cop27 to highlight the failure of those in the southern hemisphere by “richer nations” during Cop26.
Councillor Aitken will represent Glasgow and the local authority when she attends the conference, which is being held in Egypt, from November 6 -18.
READ MORE: Glasgow City Council agree to spend £3300 for leader to attend Cop27 in Egypt
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s meeting, councillor Jon Molyneux said: “Having been the host of COP26, Glasgow has an opportunity to lead the way for faster and fairer climate action.
“Everyone who cares about a survivable planet should be putting pressure on leaders of richer nations, like the UK, so they do not once again betray those communities in the Global South who are on the frontline of the climate crisis.
“In Glasgow we are aiming to reach net zero emissions by 2030. It's vital that we deliver action to meet that ambition. Having created a new net zero committee, chaired by a Green councillor, we will make sure there is a relentless focus on this across the council.
“Importantly we will need investment to transform how we get around the city, how we heat our homes and buildings, and to restore nature. The threat of a new wave of Tory austerity cannot be allowed to get in the way of this necessary climate action.”
The motion also states that the council believes that tackling the climate emergency needs real leadership, ambition and action at a local level.
This will change how the local authority plans, delivers services and supports its citizens while addressing climate change.
Councillor Molyneux added: “We've seen unprecedented temperatures on every continent in the last 12 months. We've seen devastating floods hit Pakistan. We know that the climate emergency is costing thousands of lives and livelihoods right now.
“So, it’s also unconscionable that the UK Government is using the cover of a cost-of-living crisis - which it has created - to unleash fracking on communities and to nod through a new wave of oil and gas licences, completely at odds with what the science says is needed.
“COP27 is an opportunity to demand that these hostile acts against the planet are ditched and instead to get the investment we need for a greener, fairer future."
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