Decarbonising Rural Communities and Economies
“… to rebuild our economy in a way that works for the two-thirds that live outside the most urban cities and towns.”
.
Huge promises have been made on deforestation in Glasgow today:
More than 100 world leaders have promised to end and reverse deforestation by 2030, in the COP26 climate summit’s first major deal. Brazil – where stretches of the Amazon rainforest have been cut down – was among the signatories on Tuesday. The pledge includes almost £14bn ($19.2bn) of public and private funds.
Experts welcomed the move, but warned a previous deal in 2014 had “failed to slow deforestation at all” and commitments needed to be delivered on.
COP26: World leaders promise to end deforestation by 2030 – BBC News
There has been pressure building on this issue:
Food and land use systems currently contribute up to a third of greenhouse gas emissions globally. They are also the biggest driver of deforestation, conversion of natural ecosystems and habitats, and biodiversity loss…
But it is clear that if climate change is to be addressed, the countryside should not be sidelined:
‘We can’t just focus on UK cities. Green investment must be targeted at rural areas too’
Cllr Steve Count, chair of the newly launched Countryside Climate Network, argues that supporting rural ingenuity from the Silicon Fen to the Scottish Highlands will yield climate and economic dividends in the run-up to Cop26
“I was intrigued to discover that the first low-emissions tractor was built over 60 years ago. Today, many farmers are looking to switch from red diesel to hydrogen power to save money and our planet. Reducing the impact of agriculture on pollution and global warming is just one example of how rural people play our part in tackling climate change.
“It’s no surprise after the devastating floods of last winter. Extreme weather events have doubled in the last three decades. We cannot wait another six decades.This is a historic moment – to rebuild our economy in a way that works for the two-thirds that live outside the most urban cities and towns…
Another campaign from the Rural Services Network says the same:
REMEMBER RURAL IN COP 26
Remember Rural is the message from the Rural Services Network as the world leaders unite at COP26 to work together towards tackling climate change
Taking place this week in Glasgow, COP 26, Boris Johnson warned that the world is at ‘one minute to midnight’ having run down the clock on waiting to combat climate change.
It is vital that rural areas are part of the solution to tackling climate change, an approach solely focused on urban areas and urban travel and living will not succeed alone.
The Revitalising Rural Campaign of the RSN, sets out a number of policy asks of Government and the specific chapter on Decarbonising Rural Communities and Economies is available at this link.
Remember Rural in COP 26 – Rural Services Network
photo: File: A glimpse of the East Devon countryside – geograph.org.uk – 1451327.jpg – Wikimedia Commons