A CLIMATE emergency is set to be declared by Leeds City Council this week.

The council is working to make Leeds carbon neutral by 2030, and is also planning to sign up to a science based carbon reduction target consistent with achieving the Paris Agreement of no more than 1.5 degrees centigrade global temperature increase.

Tomorrow members are expected to agree a motion put forward by council leader Cllr Judith Blake to declare a climate emergency.

The motion says: "This Council notes that many Leeds residents are demanding action on climate change as demonstrated through actions such as the recent ‘Youth Strike.’

"Council accepts that in order to limit the effects of global warming it is necessary for the world population to reduce its annual carbon emissions from the current 6.5 tonnes per person to less than 2 tonnes as soon as possible.

Council recognises that individuals cannot be expected to make this reduction on their own. Society needs leadership at international, national and local level. Council is aware that current plans and actions are not enough.

It adds: "All governments nationally and locally have a duty to limit the negative impacts of global warming."