A CLIMATE change committee set up by a county council to cut its carbon emissions to net zero by 2030 met for the first time on Monday.

Denbighshire County Council declared a “climate emergency” in July after its councillors overwhelmingly voted to pass a motion that stated its residents are at risk of harm from climate change. The motion committed the council to become carbon neutral by 2030 and boost biodiversity, in a bid to tackle rising temperatures and habitat loss.

The Climate Change and Ecological Emergency Working Group (CCEE) was established to carry out the first comprehensive review of the council’s carbon footprint, from social care and housing to waste and transport.

Graham Timms, chair of CCEE, who was one of three councillors that tabled the motion, said residents “want to see action” over climate change and biodiversity decline.

He said he was “encouraged” by the cross-party make-up of the working group, which will “ensure the council continues the good work already taking place, but pushing this agenda further to respond to the climate and ecological emergency Denbighshire, Wales, the UK and the world.”

Denbighshire County Council made the environment a priority in its current Corporate Plan, launched in 2017. The council has planted 5,800 trees and now only uses renewable electricity for its schools, leisure centres, libraries, council offices and depots.

Electric charging points for its staff have been installed at several offices and a review of potential locations for public charging points is underway.

Brian Jones, Denbighshire County Council’s cabinet member for waste, transport and the environment, said that “protecting the environment is very much at the centre of our plans”.

“The working group will enhance the work the council is undertaking in this area," he said. "We will also be working with partners across the public, private and third sector to respond to this climate and ecological emergency.”