On 22 July 2019, Budleigh Salterton Town Council passed a motion "to declare a Climate Emergency and to create a Task Force or Climate Emergency Group". On 28 October of that year, the Group submitted a report to the full Council with the actions that the Council should take to address the Climate Emergency.
Budleigh Salterton Town Council is aware of the significant implications of Climate change for all Devon's communities. This change is already affecting our environment infrastructure, economy and health & well-being. If not addressed, the impact on future generations will be profound and the ability to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals will be severely compromised.
The IPCC’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C, published last November, describes the enormous harm that a 2°C rise is likely to cause, compared to a 1.5°C rise but that limiting warming to 1.5°C may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society, the private sector, indigenous peoples and local communities.
Members of the Town Council's Climate Emergency Committee have been working to establish a strategy to address the emergency, and its Terms Of Reference and Action Plan were adopted by the Town Council on 28 March 2022.
The Group was recently extended to include the wider Community and membership currently comprises of the following:
- Cllr Mrs C M Cunningham
- Cllr D J Hayward
- Cllr M C Hilliar
- Cllr Mrs M P Lewis
- District Cllr C Fitzgerald
- County Cllr Mrs C Channon
Plus representatives from the following local groups and organisations:
- Chamber of Commerce
- Clinton Devon Estates
- Otter Valley Association
- St Peter's School
- Budleigh Lions
- Budleigh Community Workshop