A cross-party motion to declare a climate emergency is set to be approved by Merton Council.

In a planning document on the agenda for the July 10 council meeting it reads that the "scale of the challenge is unprecedented."

"Merton Council believes that the world is in the midst of a climate emergency and that action is required at all levels of Government – local, national and international – in order to protect our planet for future generations," the document read.

"Approximately 97.5% of emissions within the borough are beyond the council’s direct control, so everyone within the borough has a role to play if we are to successfully reduce emissions.

"Tackling climate change can only be a common endeavour and will require residents, businesses and other organisations to play their part."

RELATED: Petition calling for council to declare climate emergency gets more than 1500 signatures

This decision should come as great news to some, as a petition calling for the climate emergency to be declared has now reached more than 2000 signatures

The petition was set up by Dr Pippa Maslin who said: “Scientists warn that climate breakdown is the single biggest issue facing us.

"We’re the last generation who can prevent climate catastrophe, but we only have 12 years to do so. The new government target of net-zero emissions by 2050 is a step in the right direction but it’s still too little too late.”

In the document it states that the council will resolve to:

  • Work towards ensuring that the borough is carbon neutral by 2050, in line with the mayor and the Government’s targets. Achieving this will require significant investment and policy initiatives from the Government, and council hopes it would be achieved earlier than 2050.
  • Work towards ensuring that the Council is carbon neutral by 2030, recognising the leadership role it has in the borough