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.

The Climate Emergency Group is in the process of establishing a strategy to address the emergency, and its Terms Of Reference and Action Plan will be adopted by the Town Council soon.  It is currently comprised of the following Councillors: 

• Cllr D J Hayward
• Cllr M C Hilliar
• Cllr Mrs M P Lewis

The Group will extend involvement in addressing the Climate Emergency to the wider Community, including Residents, Colleges, Visitors and Businesses, and will act together with East Devon District Council and Devon County Council to achieve carbon neutrality.