Monmouthshire recognised as a leader in tackling climate change

A new report has been issued by food and farming charity Sustain that recognises Monmouthshire County Council for the significant work it has undertaken to help tackle the climate emergency.

Out of the 200 local authorities in the UK, only 12% (21 councils) have made significant advances in their plans to tackle climate change according to the ‘Every Mouthful Counts’ report published on Thursday 10^th November. Monmouthshire County Council is one of three councils in Wales included on the list for leading the efforts.

With an annual procurement spend of £70 billion, and as owners of up to 1.3 million acres of land, UK councils have significant opportunities to take action on climate change. Sustain found evidence of better performing councils taking action on food and farming including buying sustainable food for council catering, ensuring their county farms are sustainable, allocating land for local food growing and supporting citizens to eat more healthy, sustainable diets. But the findings from Sustain show that the majority are not doing so.

Councils’ services and food production in the UK are already being disrupted by extreme weather. Food price rises caused by climate change will cost the average UK household an estimated £170 this year. Farmers are already counting losses from extreme weather in summer 2022, and dangerous flooding is predicted in February.

Sustain examined the climate, biodiversity and food plans of 179 UK Local Authorities and found that:

• Six in ten councils (59 per cent) did not include significant or meaningful action to reduce emissions from food and farming
• 29 per cent only had ‘barebones’ policies or plans in place
• Only 21 councils (about 12%) had more developed and measurable policies in place to cut food-related emissions. These are recognised as leaders.

Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, Leader of Monmouthshire County Council said: “I am delighted that Monmouthshire has been recognised for the actions we take around food, farming and the climate emergency. Addressing the climate and nature emergencies is core to how we operate.  We still have a long way to go and we are committed to being zero carbon while protecting our biodiversity and the well-being of residents through our support to food systems and farming.  That we are seen to be making a difference is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of all our staff and the partnerships they have forged with communities, organisations  and businesses in Monmouthshire and beyond.”