The Church of England cooperates with the authorities for the Common Good. Hence it is important for CofE Birmingham to know the climate action plans of the local authorities with which it is linked. Here are two of them:
Photo by courtesy of Birmingham Friends of the Earth
Birmingham
On 11 June 2019, the City Council declared a climate emergency and made the commitment to take action to reduce the city’s carbon emissions and limit climate change. The ambition was set for the Council and city to become net zero carbon by 2030, or as soon as possible thereafter. An Action Plan was endorsed by Full Council in January 2021. For further details see: The climate emergency declaration | What is the council doing about climate change.
John Nightingale from the diocese was invited to a meeting organised by the Council to meet Lord Deben, the Chairman of the Climate Change Committee.
For updates about the Council's work go to Birmingham Keep in Touch and sign in for the Route to Net Zero option. You should then receive the BOLDER GREENER Bulletin
To join other environmental groups engaging with the Council and receive a newsletter contact the Brum Cimate Justice Coalition team at brumclimatejustice@gmail.com.
Solihull
On 8 October 2019, the Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council passed a resolution including the statement that it would: “Take action to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants from our own activities, buildings, transport, resources and waste, ensuring that we continue to invest in the Borough's natural capital, greening the borough's economy through our local plan and investments - aiming to become net carbon zero, as a Council, by 2030." For further details see Solihull Council’s natural environmental work rated best in the West Midlands.
The diocese has been linked with Solihull through the late Beryl Moppett OBE and Caroline Egan, and in particular with Councillor Ian Courts who also chairs the Environment Group of the West Midlands Combined Authority. They were also involved in their Council’s Warmer Homes Scheme for 2022/3 which was intended to raise the energy efficiency of low-income and low Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rated homes, deliver progress towards reducing fuel poverty, and phase out high carbon fossil fuel heating, in line with the UK's commitment to net zero by 2050.
West Midlands Combined Authority
This authority, comprising Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry and the Black Country Boroughs, has set itself a target of becoming carbon net zero by 2041 and has recently started a Greener Together Forum open to members of the public. John Nightingale attends. For further details see: Environment and Energy.
To join other environmental groups relating to the WMCA contact the West Midlands Climate Coalition at westmidscc@btinternet.com.