There is growing realisation that we’re facing an era of environmental crisis, headlined by the climate emergency.

In 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned that global greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced dramatically by 2030 in order to keep warming below 1.5 °C.  Above that impacts become increasingly dangerous and unmanageable.

The UN’s Convention on Biological Diversity produced an updated report on the state of global biodiversity in 2019, stating that biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, while the pressures behind this are intensifying.

The UK is already experiencing changing climate, including periods of drought and severe weather. The State of Nature report in 2019 documents how human impacts are driving sweeping changes in wildlife in the UK. In 2020, the independent Climate Change Committee launched a website on UK climate risks, highlighting that further climate change impacts for the UK are inevitable.

Although there is uncertainty about the severity and timing of further impacts, it is essential to take concerted action to reduce emissions and adapt where we can.

STROUD CARBON NEUTRAL 2030

Against the backdrop of the Climate and Ecological Emergency, the Transition Stroud strategy is based on the vision that by 2030 Stroud district will be carbon neutral and local communities will be resilient.

We welcome Stroud District Council’s pledge to “do everything within the Council’s power to make Stroud District Carbon Neutral by 2030“.  Like the Council, we believe that the 2030 target will only be achieved by working in partnership across community, public and business spheres.

A rapid programme of decarbonisation presents major challenges, but there could also be many benefits, including: a safer future, cleaner air, more comfortable buildings and homes, more local food supplies, an improved natural environment and resilience to severe weather.

Last year Stroud District Council developed a Master Plan draft and ran a consultation process. Please read the Transition Stroud written response to Stroud District Council’s 2030 Strategy proposals.

The final Masterplan from the Council is now available: Stroud District Council, the 2030 Strategy Limiting, Adapting, Recovering and Responding in a Changing Climate.