Moray Council agrees to support Climate and Ecology Bill and signs Edinburgh Declaration
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MORAY Council has signed the Edinburgh Declaration and agreed to support the Climate and Ecology Bill.
At a meeting of the full council yesterday, the council agreed to support both bills – which aim to reduce the impact of climate change.
Moray Council is the first council in Scotland to support the Climate and Ecology Bill.
Introducing the motion, councillor Draeyk van der Horn (Greens, Forres) said: "We have already declared a climate emergency within Moray Council.
"The World Health Organisation, in October 2021, stated that climate change is the biggest health threat facing humanity.
"Climate change is already impacting health, with increasing heat waves, which we have recently experienced in this country, and storms and floods, which we are also familiar with.
"These health risks are disproportionally felt by the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in society – including women, children, ethnic minorities, poor communities, displaced persons, older persons or those with underlying health conditions.
"We would be the first council in Scotland to support this build, which has been widely supported in other nations of Britain. It's an opportunity to show some real leadership on matters affecting us right now."
The motion was seconded by Neil Cameron (SNP, Heldon and Laich).
Signing the Edinburgh Declaration means that Moray Council has agreed to support work to halt biodiversity decline.
Councillor Graham Leadbitter (SNP, Elgin City South) said: "This ties in really, really well with our climate change strategy.
"The benefit is that we are joining a wider group of organisations who can share experiences and best practice.
"I think this will drive forward the things we have to do over the next decade and beyond."
