Several local groups have come together to form a Harrogate District Climate Action Network (HD-CAN). The network currently consists of 13 groups in the Harrogate District whose total membership exceeds 4000 members and residents.
The network will look to increase information and open discussion across the district about climate change and reflect the widely felt concern in communities about the need for swift and radical changes if the worst consequences of global warming are to be avoided.
A spokesperson for Harrogate District Climate Action Network said:
We appreciate the actions taken to date by Harrogate Council in developing its internal climate change plans and setting up the Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition. However, the network is very concerned about the limited progress made so far.
We believe there needs to be a step change in the ambitions and speed of activity, one which reflects the growing and alarming body of scientific evidence and the urgency needed to mitigate and adapt to climate breakdown.
The network has written to the key HBC Cllrs to invite them to meet representatives of the group, to look at how progress can be escalated and how the work can be supported by the groups within the district. The council have responded swiftly and positively which bodes well and a meeting is anticipated in the next week or two.
One key focus will be in setting up a process of intensive public engagement and consultation, which provides a mandate for the council in taking the required steps, supported by a council commitment to implement the recommendations which emerge from it.
A spokesperson for Harrogate District Climate Action Network added:
There is an aspiration in a recent consultant’s report for any new North Yorkshire based council to be Carbon Negative by 2040. However, there is no real detail within the report as to how this would be achieved Discussions between HBC and the Harrogate District-CAN will help to formulate concrete plans and take the actions required. This is about developing true collaboration between communities and council to address the most pressing issue of our time.
- The Harrogate District – Climate Action Network (HD-CAN) consists of:
Extinction Rebellion Harrogate - Harrogate District Friends of the Earth
- Harrogate District Cycle Action Group
- Harrogate & District Green Party
- Knaresborough SPARKS
- Long Lands Common
- Love Sustainable Knaresborugh
- Nidd Gorge Community Action
- Nidderdale Climate and Environment Group
- Pinewoods Conservation Group
- Sustainably Harrogate
- United Nations Association Harrogate
- Zero Carbon Harrogate
