Stop consulting and take climate action now - Braddan Commissioners

The chairman of a local authority which announced a ‘climate change emergency’ last week, says national politicians can’t keep kicking the issue down the line.

Andrew Jessopp hopes Braddan Commissioners’ declaration will build awareness and a groundswell of public opinion to influence government to take urgent action.

It comes following the launched of a public consultation by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, which posits a range of ideas on how climate issues could be addressed.

Mr Jessopp says the survey is a waste of time, and government could make a raft of pro-active changes ‘tomorrow’ without consultation.

Inspired by the work of local authorities in Australia, he says publicly elected commissioners on the Island can make progress from the bottom up.

Following their declaration, Braddan Commissioners will look at new office measures such as cutting back on water and energy usage, and change procurement policies to ensure contractors have the right ‘environmental credentials’.