We call on Leeds City Council to:

1. Declare a 'Climate Emergency'.

2. Pledge to make Leeds carbon neutral before 2030, taking in to account both production and consumption emissions. 

3. Develop and report back to Council specific emergency plans with the actions needed to reach this target.

4. Call on central government to provide the funding and powers to make this possible.

5. Work with other governments (both within the UK and internationally) to determine and implement best practice methods to limit Global Warming to less than 1.5°C.

6. Continue to work with partners across the city and region to deliver this new goal through all relevant strategies and plans.

Why is this important?

The science is clear: human-caused climate change is real, it is happening and its effects are being felt right now.

The latest IPCC report has given us only 11 years to act urgently on climate change or face runaway Global Warming and Climate Breakdown. 

It is vital that Leeds joins other city authorities from around from the UK including Nottingham, Leicester, Bristol and London to declare and commit resources to tackling a ‘Climate Emergency' and reach zero carbon by or before 2030. This target date is vital to meet the IPCC timeframe for action to give us the best chance of survival. 

We believe Leeds has the vision, skills and resources to be a leader in tackling the climate emergency and showing other cities around the world how this can be achieved in a just and inclusive way.

Petition initiated by: David Barns and Keith Whittaker, concerned citizens and members of Extinction Rebellion Leeds.