Sheffield Citizens’ Assembly on climate change is paused due to Covid

The city’s Citizens’ Assembly, which was created to tackle climate change, has been postponed during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Plans for the Assembly were first discussed a year ago with the aim of establishing a climate emergency committee to help the city meet its zero carbon emissions target by at least 2030.

But council officers say the pandemic and first lockdown in March meant the Assembly was cancelled due to the restrictions on mass gatherings. The council is now looking at alternative ways it can hold discussions.

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In a report, officers say: “Conversations will initially focus on sharing the truth about climate change and findings of the emerging Zero Carbon Commission, as well as providing opportunities for communities to be involved with planning for a zero carbon future.

Extinction Rebellion campaigners pictured during a protest outside Sheffield Town HallExtinction Rebellion campaigners pictured during a protest outside Sheffield Town Hall
Extinction Rebellion campaigners pictured during a protest outside Sheffield Town Hall

“These wider conversations will also look at the findings of the national Climate Assembly. There’s a call for strong leadership from government and the recognition that everyone needs to play their part.”

Mark Whitworth, sustainability and climate change manager at Sheffield Council, told a scrutiny meeting that climate change had been overshadowed by the pandemic but Sheffield is suffering.

“In 2018 it experienced widespread drought and a three month heatwave and 2019 recorded the highest UK temperature of 38.7 degrees with widespread flooding throughout South Yorkshire as well as the most rainfall in Sheffield in a single day since 2000

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“The UK is the 20th most vulnerable country to heatwaves in the world and eighth in Europe, putting us ahead of hot countries such as Australia.”

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