MEMBERS of Extinction Rebellion Taunton braved the weather last Saturday with petition calling for Somerset’s councils to publish a “clear timeline” of their climate change action.

This month marks three years since Somerset County Council (SCC) and Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) declared a climate emergency and pledged to work with their partners across the county make Somerset carbon-neutral by 2030. 

In November 2020, the county council, SWT, Sedgemoor District Council, Mendip District Council, and South Somerset District Council adopted a joint Climate Emergency Strategy following a public consultation in January 2020.

To mark the third anniversary of the councils' declaration of a climate emergency, members of Extinction Rebellion (XR) Taunton spoke to passers-by in the High Street about their climate change action.

They also asked people to sign their petition, ‘Achieving net zero by 2030: For a cleaner, healthier and ecologically resilient Somerset’.

The petition says: “We ask our county and district councils to deliver on the commitments in their Climate Emergency Strategy and to provide a clear timeline for action from 2022-2030.”

Due to being out on the streets “at the tail end of the gales” brought by Storm Eunice, the campaigners spent less time petitioning than planned and gained 36 signatures.

XR Taunton member Sigurd Reimers said: “It’s been three years since our county and district councils declared a climate emergency.

“We had a cake to mark the three years, but it was also a bit of a warning that there are eight years left.

“We have asked our county and district councils to deliver on their commitments in the climate emergency strategy and to provide a clear timeline for the years 2022 to 2030.”

The Extinction Rebellion petition comes after SCC and SWT were recognised by a climate action organisation for having the best plans for tackling the climate emergency in the UK.

After 409 local authorities were assessed by not-for-profit cooperative Climate Emergency UK, SWT topped the leaderboard for district councils with a total score of 92 per cent.

SCC ranked highest among county councils with a score of 63 per cent.

Sigurd added: “The county council and district council were recognised for their climate emergency plans, but we are saying they have got to deliver on them as well.

“Climate change commitments are often big words, but they need to be followed by action.”

Following its recognition by Climate Emergency UK, SCC says it is taking action to ensure Somerset continues to set a strong example in the years ahead. 

Its iniatives include a £1.5 million Climate Emergency Community Fund, which has been used to help develop 43 community projects that are working towards a climate-resilient Somerset.

It is also working to 'decarbonise' a number of council-owned buildings including County Hall in Taunton, its Glastonbury Hub, and a number of libraries.

SCC estimates this initiative could reduce its non-schools estate carbon output by around 27 per cent.

Somerset County Gazette: A not-for-profit cooperation ranked two Somerset councils' climate emergency plans as the best in their categories last month.A not-for-profit cooperation ranked two Somerset councils' climate emergency plans as the best in their categories last month.

Councillor David Hall, SCC's cabinet member for climate change, said: "Somerset County Council’s declaration of a climate emergency was not an empty gesture, it was a commitment to changing our culture and we are making real progress in doing so. 

"Tackling the climate emergency is now at the forefront of our decision-making at Somerset County Council and we are determined to build on the good work done so far across Somerset." 

SCC is also building its first 'Passivhaus' school in Comeytrowe, Taunton.

The 420-pupil school will be the third of its type in the south west once completed and aims to be free of fossil fuels in its daily operations.

In October 2020, SWT approved its own Carbon Neutrality and Climate Resilience (CNCR) Action Plan alongside committing to the Somerset Climate Emergency Strategy. 

Its CNCR plan details how SWT plans to address specific issues and deliver on the strategies identified in the Somerset-wide strategy. 

In its latest budget, SWT has set aside £500,000 for climate initiatives, and the council says it will bring forward an action plan to address its ecology emergency declaration this year.

Cllr Dixie Darch, executive member for climate change, said: “The projects we are delivering like the E-scooter trials, our Zero Carbon Affordable Housing Pilot, retrofitting homes, tree planting, and delivering EV charge points show that we are taking our leadership role seriously.

“These are, of course, just a small but important part of the puzzle and while we are rightly proud of our achievements so far, we know that there’s still room for improvement and we can’t rest on our laurels.

“The challenge has never been greater for local councils, so it’s essential we rise to that challenge and continue to bring about change through direct action and policy, partnership working, enabling organisations and communities, leading by example and supporting individuals."

Somerset County Gazette: Extinction Rebellion Taunton members in the High Street on Saturday, February 19.Extinction Rebellion Taunton members in the High Street on Saturday, February 19.

She added: "We are very happy to have a conversation with Taunton XR and are setting up a meeting to do just that.

"As a campaign group seeking to drive climate action, it is right that XR hold local and national government to account and I welcome the opportunity for dialogue and collaboration."  

On Friday, March 11, XR Taunton will be hosting a ‘Heading for Extinction’ talk at the Quaker Meeting House, 13 Bath Place, at 7pm.

The event is open for members of the public to attend, and cakes and refreshments will be provided.