Open letter to Members of West Yorkshire Combined Authority - Will the WYCA declare a meaningful declaration of a climate emergency?

To members of West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Many councils in the Leeds City Region have declared a ‘Climate Emergency’. This follows the stark message from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that we have only 11 years to bring our greenhouse gas emissions down to levels that will keep the global temperature rise to a survivable 1.5%. This clear warning requires action from every level of government including the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).

WYCA is responsible for significant investment in activities that promote economic activity, including the Leeds City Region Local Growth Deal. WYCA has a strong focus on ‘Inclusive Growth’, but will the economic activity we generate be both economically and environmentally sustainable? Can we demonstrate that all the activity that WYCA generates will reduce emissions? Can we demonstrate by how much? Can WYCA demonstrate how it will use its leadership role to reduce emissions amongst its partners in the region?

Currently there appears to be no rigorous assessment of the impact on greenhouse gas emissions of the decisions of the Investment Committee. In our opinion, given the significant funding of transport and road schemes by the Investment Committee, a full climate impact assessment should be produced for such projects before decisions are made to proceed with them or not.

We are, of course, aware of the valuable work being carried out by the Leeds City Region Green Economy Panel; but we need to look at all the activity being generated by WYCA in totality to ensure it has a positive impact on climate emissions and one that is consistent with the COP21 Paris Climate Goals.

Our request as Green Councillors in the Leeds City Region is to meet with appropriate Councillors/Officers with a view to a meaningful ‘Declaration of a Climate Emergency’ being made by WYCA as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely

Cllr Andrew Cooper – Kirklees Council

Cllr Karen Allison – Kirklees Council

Cllr Sue Lee-Richards – Kirklees Council

Cllr Ann Forsaith  - Leeds City Council

Cllr Anne Blackburn – Leeds City Council

Cllr David Blackburn – Leeds City Council

Cllr Kevin Warnes – Bradford City Council

Cllr Martin Love – Bradford City Council

Cllr Andy D’Agorne – York City Council

Cllr Denise Craghill – York City Council

Cllr David Taylor – York City Council

Cllr Rosie Baker – York City Council