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22 Apr 2019

Earth Day Alert

Today is Earth Day. To celebrate we urge all members of the Glasgow branch to fill in Glasgow City Council's Climate Change survey to make sure that the Climate Emergency Working Group gets a clear message that Glasgow residents demand more action.

The survey can be found here: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ClimateChange2019/ . To help you complete the survey we've provided some sample answers based on our manifesto commitments and other proposals as suggested by our branch's Climate Emergency Working Group.

Questions and Sample Answers

1. What more, if anything, do you think the Council and the city should do to prevent major climate change?

  • Declare a climate emergency and make Glasgow a world class exemplar.

  • Ban all private cars from the city centre and immediate environs on Sundays and introduce free public transport - introduce an additional day to the ban every three years (with accompanying free public transport) - i.e. all private cars banned in 18 years of introduction.

  • The issue and use of plastic bottles, cups, cutlery, plates, bags etc banned in all public buildings within twelve months except where there are insurmountable health and safety or clinical issues; free bikes, helmets and panniers for all public sector and third sector staff who use their bikes for 60% of annual working days (part repayment will be required for those who do not meet this threshold); all public sector owned or leased vehicles electric by 2029.

  • Lights turned off in all public and private offices/buildings between 20.00hrs and 07.00hrs except where there is a clear and substantiated operational rationale for doing otherwise.

  • Incentivise behavioural change - public sector financially reward residents for recycling; private sector encouraged to introduce deposit return schemes for glass and plastic bottles, reusable food containers, hangers, plastic packaging etc.

  • Planning policy changes to ensure all new housing is built to Passive Housing standards (in line with timescale of next local plan).

  • Bring forward phase 2 of the LEZ.

  • Amend Council policies in light of the IPCC report.

  • Explain to residents what is meant by a circular economy and facilitate its development.

  • Develop a public energy company and introduce district heating.

  • Fight for nature – produce and deliver an ecological action plan.

  • Retrofit old buildings rather than demolishing them.

 

2. What more, if anything, do you think the Council and the city should do to prepare for the impacts of a changing climate?

  • Take full account of Climate Ready Clyde.

  • Improve flood and surface water management - ban mono-blocking in residential gardens and provide grants for the removal of mono-blocking and restoration of grass and bio-diverse vegetation.

  • Plant a tree in the city for every 10 residents in the city.

  • Provide climate change / extreme weather awareness information sheets to every household and business.

  • In addition to economic appraisal of all substantial public sector capital projects, a thorough appraisal of their impact on climate change and interaction with extreme weather events is assessed and their resilience and durability to extreme weather should be assessed in detail. Moreover, projects should aim to be carbon neutral - e.g. the rebuilding of the School of Art should aim to create a carbon zero building and related campus.

  • Increase green spaces and improve the connections between them – invest in parks.

 

3. What action and or policies, if any, should the Council and the city introduce specifically to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emmisions?

  • Develop a city wide programme for effectively using and recycling old clothing.

  • Develop a public energy company and introduce district heating.

  • Promote conversion from gas to electric heating.

  • Promote and facilitate active travel.

  • Turn more Council land over for growing purposes by Land and Environmental Services and for individuals and community projects.

 

4. What are the barriers, if any, to the Council and the city taking action on climate change?

  • Inadequate prioritisation of resources.

  • Not integrating climate change actions into all policies.

  • Not making long term financial decisions.

  • Economic planning focusing on growth rather than health and wellbeing.

  • Political inertia.

 

5. Are you aware of actions that other places have taken on the issue of climate change which Glasgow can learn from?

  • Other cities have declared a climate emergency and have set more demanding targets.

  • Other cities have banned cars and reduced costs of public transport.

  • Other cities have introduced solar panels on public buildings.

  • Other cities have turned disused railways into growing spaces.

  • Other cities are prioritising local procurement.

 

6. In your opinion what help, if any, should the council ask both the Scottish and UK Government for in order to address climate change?

  • Introduce and ensure earlier carbon neutral targets.

  • Make the polluter pay.

  • Develop new approaches to planning which incentivise carbon reduction and climate change mitigation. Legislate where necessary.

  • Place more emphasis in the Curriculum for Excellence on developing civic pride and citizenship.

 

7. The council is keen to involve local residents in discussions about tackling climate change. What would be the best method(s) to allow residents to contribute?

  • Public meetings/workshops.

  • Online consultations.

  • Social media.

  • Community councils.

  • Community groups/organisations.

  • Other, please specify:

  • Organise citizens assemblies on climate change and act on the outcomes.

  • Twin Glasgow with countries and areas feeling effects of climate change now, e.g. Bangladesh, to promote awareness, solidarity and knowledge exchange.

 

8. How can we make sure that action on climate issues supports human rights and equality in the city?

  • Set up a climate change youth forum.

  • Support gender budgeting.

  • Develop an equality-centred Just Transition Plan.

 

9. The Council has currently set a target year of 2037 for the city to achieve carbon neutrality. How do you think we might be able to deliver that by an earlier year?

  • Public and third sectors carbon neutral by 2029.

  • Private residences carbon neutral by 2033.

  • City carbon neutral by 2035.

  • Display annual improvement in front of the City Chambers.

 


If you wish to help further and join the Branch Climate Emergency Working Group, contact us on glasgow@scottishgreens.org.uk.