Council declares climate emergency, commits to action

NARROW VICTORY Balina councillor, Mark Duffy.

Anton McNulty

A BALLINA councillor has welcomed Mayo County Council’s decision to adopt a motion he proposed declaring a climate and biodiversity emergency, but admitted surprise at some opposition to it.
Independent councillor Mark Duffy proposed that the council declare a climate emergency at last week’s online meeting of the authority and asked that they commit to take measures to address the climate crisis within the county.
The proposal was supported by Laura Dixon, the council’s Climate Action Officer, who recommended that it be adapted to declare a climate and biodiversity emergency, which was accepted by Cllr Duffy.
However, there was not unequivocal support from council members who debated the motion for over an hour. When the motion was eventually put to a vote it was passed narrowly by 13 votes to 12, with five absentees. Those opposed and in favour did not follow party lines with Fianna FΡil, Fine Gael and Independent councillors voting for and against, with Sinn Féin councillor Gerry Murray voting in favour.
Speaking to The Mayo News following the vote, Cllr Duffy said he was ‘surprised’ by the opposition but was glad Mayo County Council is now the first local authority between Donegal and Clare to declare ‘a climate and biodiversity emergency’.
“I was surprised by the opposition and had expected the motion to be proposed and seconded and the meeting would move on quickly. I did not expect it to go on for an hour and a half.
“Some members did not like the word ‘emergency’ but I pointed out that Ireland had already declared a climate emergency two years ago and this was to show Mayo County Council supported this. There are 17 local authorities in Ireland who have passed a climate emergency and Mayo County Council should be seen to be leading along the western seafront.”

Challenge
“Thankfully it passed and some good actions and measures will come out of it and it will show that Mayo County Council is up to the challenge. There are actions recommended by Laura Dixon whereby climate and biodiversity updates are given to strategic policy committees and they will be considered in the council’s operations and also the county development plan has a strong emphasis on the climate and biodiversity. There are lot of positives which will come out of it,” he said.
In 2017, Mayo County Council became the first local authority to appoint a Climate Action Officer with responsibility for improving climate action operations with the Council and engaging with local communities.
Cllr Duffy praised the work of the environment section of the council in tackling climate change and believes actions taken now will improve people’s lives in the future.
“I do think the council will take it seriously and will step up to the challenge but it requires every single household in the county to work together with the council. Climate affects everyone and is for everyone and by getting behind this we will improve everyone’s life,” he said.