Liberal Democrats ‘delighted’ with second place in Climate Emergency UK ranking.
Climate Emergency UK assessed all UK councils on the actions they have taken towards net zero and produce scores that reflect that work. The Liberal Democrat Welhat borough council group are delighted that Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council are in joint second place position in Hertfordshire this year, up from 8th place in 2023.
Libdem councillors have worked tirelessly to put climate change at the top of the agenda over many years, pushing for the implementation of a climate change officer whilst in opposition and working within the joint administration to achieve even more. As leader and climate and biodiversity portfolio holder in 23/24, Lib Dem Cllr Paul Zukowskyj helped spearhead many projects which have been built on by the Joint administration.
The climate change officer, who has been in place for two years, has led the council to raise the profile and awareness of the climate change emergency across the borough with focus and determination and the ‘Great Big Green Week’ which was celebrated last week was a great success. The score card noted that the council showed significant improvement in ‘collaboration and engagement’, gaining 35 points since 2023, particularly recognising the council’s work in engaging with schools and external partners. Welwyn Hatfield was also one of the first councils to publish a Clean Air Strategy in Hertfordshire last year.
Welwyn Hatfield Liberal Democrat’s climate change spokesperson, Cllr Helena Goldwater, said that ‘Coming joint second place in Hertfordshire is a testament to the persistence and vision of the Joint administration to deliver palpable reforms to address the climate emergency. I am looking forward to continuing our work in tackling climate change across the Borough’.
You can view the climate score cards here: councilclimatescorecards.uk