A CROSS-party group of 11 councillors is calling for Bradford to take bolder measures to prevent global warming and a climate catastrophe. 

They have all signed a pledge to “ensure that tackling the climate and ecological emergency is a priority in all the actions and decisions of the local authority”.

As part of this, the councillors have welcomed a Climate Emergency Walk into Bradford this week. Councillor Kyle Green (Con, Ilkley) called for a checklist of priorities each ward councillor can work with to make sure local projects “are helping to prevent a climate catastrophe, not contributing to it”. 

He added: “The Council budget really should be designed to meet the reduction in carbon emissions that has been agreed, which many would say is a bare minimum required.”

Councillor Marcus Dearden (Lab, Bingley) added: “This is also an opportunity to do things much better than we are used to. For example, if we need less dangerous pollution from car traffic, then we have to provide better and cheaper public transport, and make it easy to walk and to cycle. The science is clear and it must be communicated clearly. Schools, colleges and the Council all have a role to play.”

Brendan Stubbs, Liberal Democrat ward councillor for Eccleshill, said Bradford Council will have to stop doing some things which emit a lot of carbon, while also taking action like planting trees and improving homes.

“The district’s budget must be agreed in line with its climate emergency policy, or the children of Bradford will suffer untold harm,” he said. 

Independent Socialist councillor Vick Jenkins added: “We have to represent and listen to young people. When their voice is heard by politicians, the politicians will move more boldly, which we must do. Some things are easy and not costly. Pulling the Council’s Pension Fund out of fossil fuels makes sense financially as well as being a no-brainer for climate change.”

Councillor Kevin Warnes (Green Party, Shipley) said: “To get to net zero carbon as the Council by 2038 as the Council aims to, we need to agree what reduction is needed each year and change our activities to meet that target.” 

The 11 councillors have agreed that 2038 is not ambitious enough, with councillor Richard Dunbar (Lab, Thorton and  Allerton) saying a target of 2030 would be preferable. 

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Healthy People and Places, said: “It is very heartening to hear that our fellow councillors are keen to see that more robust action is taken locally to mitigate the global climate crisis.

“Bradford Council, along with other local organisations and community groups, has taken significant steps towards a net zero and more sustainable future for the district.

“We declared a climate emergency in January 2019 and, as part of Leeds City Region, have committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2038, with significant progress to be made by 2030.

“We have also committed a significant amount of budget towards the climate emergency, which is a key priority in every council department, from planning to procurement to transport, regeneration, culture and education.

“Significant steps have already been taken which include:

  • A sustainable development action plan, agreed last year, and sign-up to the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
  • The launch of a Tree for Every Child in November 2020 – the equivalent of one tree per primary school child (55,000 trees) being planted over two years – around 15,000 have already been planted.
  • We are also involved in a number of other tree planting projects, including Trees for Streets and are part of the White Rose Forest.
  • All our buildings have been powered by electricity from renewable sources since April 2020.
  • Ongoing work to enhance active travel, including safe cycling and walking throughout the pandemic and further plans being developed, including Active Travel Neighbourhoods.
  • Ongoing development of the new school meals central processing unit, nearing completion, which replaces a high emissions building with low emissions, green energy and sustainable food production.
  • Work with Northern Gas Networks to develop an alternative fuel centre on Bowling Back Lane, which will enable larger vehicles, such as HGVs to be fuelled by compressed natural gas, a cleaner, quieter alternative to traditional fuels
  • Replacing 77 Council HGVs, including refuse collection vehicles, over the next six years, with compressed gas variants – this includes 22 vehicles being replaced in 2021/22.
  • The recent start of development of the new Darley Street Market – which will spearhead Bradford’s green recovery with a huge ecological retail space; features include solar panels,  low carbon lighting, rainwater harvesting and rapid electric vehicle charging points.

“As part of the run-up to COP26, we are hosting Bradford 100, a day of discussion and debate with under 25s, at which sustainability and climate action is the key focal point. We are very keen to hear the views of young people on the climate crisis, as their opinions are key to how local authorities and other big organisations respond and change their behaviours.

“We also recognise that local community groups are an important part of a sustainable future and launched the Climate Change Grant earlier this year, which saw £360,000 shared between our five area offices for groups to apply for a grant of up to £5,000 for a climate action-related project. So far, 65 groups have received grants. Projects include food-growing, active travel, greener energy and awareness-raising initiatives.

“These examples are just a snap shot of the huge body of work we are undertaking to address the climate emergency. We recognise that a great deal more is needed, but this can only be done collectively with local businesses, other public sector organisations, community groups and individual action.”

The Climate Emergency Walk on Friday leaves Baildon at 1.30pm, leaves Shipley Kirkgate Centre at 3.15pm, and arrives in Centenary Square after 5pm.