Local Conservative councillors have presented a motion for tonight's Borough Council meeting urging the London Borough of Hounslow to 'step-up' its net-zero plans and improve transparency around its action on the climate emergency.

The motion comes weeks after the COP26 meeting in Glasgow agreed a new global deal to tackle carbon emissions.

Originally proposed by local Chiswick Riverside councillor Gabriella Giles, and seconded by Feltham North councillor Kuldeep Tak, the motion asks Hounslow Council to re-emphasise its commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030, to officially endorse the Glasgow Climate Pact agreed at COP26, and to provide regular six-month updates on the levels of carbon emissions throughout the borough.

A Climate Emergency Action Plan was introduced by Hounslow Council in the summer of 2020, committing to achieving net zero carbon emissions across the Council by 2030.

The Council declared a Climate Emergency in July 2019 and has seen wider borough emissions reduced by 55.9 kilotonnes of CO2 since 2017.

In this time recycling rates have also increased from 29.9% to 35.3% and over 4,500 trees have been planted.

In September, Hounslow Council presented a proposal to spend £1.2million to expand and upgrade air quality measuring equipment across the borough and carry out air pollution audits in local schools.

The motion calls for Hounslow Council to adopt a programme of carbon insetting, which involves investing in emissions reduction projects.

Unlike carbon offsetting, which involves spending money to mitigate emissions, the Conservative group is calling for the council to focus on investing in cleaner transport, proper insulation of council buildings and the adoption of sustainable planning guidelines.

"COP26 was a momentous occasion in our fight against the climate emergency, and offers us an opportunity to reflect on what action we can take at a local level, as well as a global level, to tackle carbon emissions," said Gabriella Giles, Conservative Spokesperson for the Environment on Hounslow Council.

"As well as talking the talk on climate action, Hounslow Council now needs to show us that it is taking the right action by committing to publishing regular and transparent reports on the level of carbon emissions throughout the borough.

"We hope Labour councillors will join with the Conservative group to pass this motion and ensure we all work constructively to take local action against climate change.

"A programme of carbon insetting will help to ensure our borough is able to reach its net-zero commitments as well as investing in the sustainable infrastructure that our residents need."

She added: "I look forward to discussing the merits of a carbon insetting programme, and to discussing the benefits it will bring to our residents and to the fight against the climate emergency."

Tonight's (7th December) council meeting can be watched live on Hounslow Council's YouTube channel.