Council backs call for treaty on fossil fuels

CHESHIRE East has backed the call for a treaty to plan the end of fossil fuel expansion and production despite some councillors claiming it is just ‘gesture politics.

- BY BELINDA RYAN, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

The environment and communities committee voted by seven to five in favour of formally endorsing the call for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty that would plan the end of new fossil fuel exploration and expansion and phase out existing production in line with the global commitment to limit warming to 1.5 C.

Sandbach councillor Sam Corcoran (Lab), who brought the motion to the council, told the committee meeting: “The scientific consensus is clear that fossil fuels are primarily responsible for accelerating global climate change.”

He said the reliance on fossil fuels exposes communities to public health risks and that ‘the economic opportunities of the transition to clean energy far outweigh trying to cling on to fossil fuel use.

“We need everyone globally to do their bit, that's why we need a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty,” said Cllr Corcoran.