Welshpool Town Council has joined councils from across the UK in declaring a 'Climate Emergency'.

Over 27 councils from across England in Wales, including Machynlleth, made the climate change stance following a landmark report calling for urgent action to prevent the devastating consequences of global warming being felt in little over a decade.

The motion, which was put forward by Councillor David Senior, said: "Extreme weather events this last two years have presented severe challenges to transport, agriculture and other services, though what we have experienced in the Welshpool area is almost insignificant compared to many parts of the world.

"Unless we act on climate, we collectively face the greatest threat to our local and global environment. According to October’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 1.5C report, humanity has 12 years to deliver the major actions needed to turn this around, so we can avoid reaching tipping points where we no longer have the ability to avoid extreme weather events. It is clear to many of us that we must act locally and globally.

"Business as usual is clearly no longer an option. We need local wisdom and action to increase our resilience and to prepare for the changes already in the system.Welshpool can play its role in preventing dangerous and extreme weather events."

The town council has created an 'Action Plan' with 19 different actions the council can take to reduce its contribution to climate change.

The council will also move towards Welshpool being a net-zero carbon producer as soon as possible by increasing local resilience to climate impacts and maximising local benefits of these actions in other sectors such as health, agriculture, transport and the economy.

The council also says it will call on Wales and UK Government to provide the support and resources to make this possible as well as with other organisations, community councils and local business to counter climate change.