CLIMATE change protests carried out by youngsters on Friday have spurred on action by climate change groups in Wiltshire, as they call for leaders to declare a climate emergency.

A motion has been tabled by Lib Dem councillor Brian Mathew and will be discussed during next week’s full Wiltshire Council meeting. It will call on the council to declare a climate emergency, to be carbon neutral by 2030 and work to limit global warming to under 1.5 degrees.

This is not the first time the authority has been asked to pledge its support. Lobbyists Extinction Rebellion walked out of a cabinet meeting in December when leader Jane Scott said it was not a matter for local government.

Coun Mathew said: “I started my political career in activism at the age of 11 and wrote a book, sold around 400 copies and made £25. Back then it was to save the tigers but now it is to save the planet. Seeing what those students did is amazing and makes the timing of this motion even more critical. I have worked with Extinction Rebellion on the motion together and what we have ended up with is a really great motion.

A demonstration will be held outside County Hall on February 26 where campaigners will lobby councillors on their way to the meeting.

Coun Mathew said: “One of the good things is that Wiltshire Council has always been very open to letting groups come and speak to them, which should be celebrated.

“We hope it will be a friendly motion that is agreed by the Conservatives.

“We’ve been told we have 12 years so if we have only got 12 years left we need to get active now. These things can take a long time but the end result can be just as damaging.

“We’ve heard from David Attenborough speaking at Davos that action has to be taken.”

Speaking to Extinction Rebellion in December, leader of the council Jane Scott said: “We all realise this is important, I am not sure it is an emergency, but that is for us to discuss and something we take very seriously at Wiltshire Council and that is why we are taking steps to be highly efficient.

“Through initiatives such as our proposal for LED lights and supporting electronic cars, we are doing what we can but all local authorities have enormous financial pressure and we have to prioritise. I do not think it is something that would be appropriate, I think it is something that is for national Government.”