Today, Huntingdonshire District Council passed a Cost of Living and Climate Change motion1 at a Full Council meeting, proposed by Green Councillor Lara Davenport-Ray.
The motion recognises that the Cost of Living and Climate Crisis are interlinked and require joint attention to ensure the wellbeing of local people and businesses.
By passing this motion, the council commits to making decisions on investment and delivery that, wherever possible, contribute to environmental and social benefits across Huntingdonshire. Council leaders will also write to the government to call for more financial support for residents and businesses to manage the challenges of increasing energy costs and rising inflation.
The council will adopt it's Climate Strategy2 that acknowledges the personal and financial impact of climate change on Huntingdonshire's most disadvantaged residents. As local bus routes come under threat, council leaders will also advocate for more robust, affordable public transport that connects employees with work, links students to education and reduces carbon emissions.
Executive Councillor for Climate and Environment, Cllr Lara Davenport-Ray, said: "Many solutions to the cost-of-living crisis are the same actions needed to address climate change. By passing this motion we hope to demonstrate that these two challenges are interlinked. Urgent action is needed on both issues not only from our council, but also from central government and every organisation with the ability to help."
1 https://applications.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/moderngov/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=322&MId=8081