The Green Party in Cardiff has demanded that councils declare a “climate emergency” in south Wales.
The Greens have set their focus on Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Vale of Glamorgan councils.
They say that a climate emergency would include a number of measures including “a wide Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure” and “better bus services in the Vale and the Valleys”. They also want road expansions to stop, supporting the position of new Labour First Minister Mark Drakeford who is against the M4 relief road.
Anthony Slaughter, leader of the Wales Green Party, said he was confident that public pressure would lead to a change.
At the launch of the party’s campaign, Mr Slaughter said “We want them to join other councils across the UK and declare an emergency. Councils will find it hard to resist – there’s a growing tide and people are recognising the urgency and the time limit we’ve got. We need action at a council, national and UK-wide level. The public are well aware of this issue.
“The first stage of this campaign is a call for clean, green and reliable public transport to make it easy for people not to use their cars.
“The council should talk to us, declare a climate emergency and steal our policy!”
Mr Slaughter also cited a recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report which said that nations have twelve years in order to limit the worst effects of climate change.
Councils in Machynlleth and Powys declared “climate emergencies” earlier this week.
Cardiff Council say they have no immediate plans to declare a climate emergency.
