A GROUP of councillors from across the Powys political spectrum will be formed to look into climate change.

The Welsh and Scottish Governments and all 27 countries of the European Union have declared a climate emergency, and in Wales Machynlleth blazed a trail when its town council became the first to declare a climate emergency in January 2019.

Now, a group of councillors is to set up a working group to look at the impact of climate change on the county.

Declaring a climate emergency is “not the answer” according to portfolio holder for economic development, housing and regulatory services, James Evans (Conservative – Gwernyfed).

Speaking at a full council meeting, he said: “One, if not the the biggest challenge facing modern society is climate change.

“The recent extreme weather provided a very unwelcome reminder of the very real impacts of climate change and everyone will be aware that it brought much damage and disruption across the county.

“We need to review the current best practice and consider what is the most appropriate action to take.

“Climate change should not be used as a political football, we must do all we can across the political divide to address it.

“Simply declaring a climate emergency is not the answer. It is important that we show leadership across this county on such a complex matter.

The council will now review all its strategies and policies on the environment, and it will establish a cross party working group to look into climate change.

Discussions with the Welsh Local Government Association, Farming Unions and environmental groups across the county will also take place.

“We need to have sustainable an profitable industries so that we can leave Powys in a better place for our children,” said Cllr Evans.

Powys Council has already established various schemes aimed at making it more environmentally-friendly.

Several active travel routes for walking and cycling have been set up, recycling is at 64 per cent of Welsh Government targets, a long-term programme of energy efficiency measures in council houses, offices and buildings us underway, and street lights are being fitted with energy efficient LED bulbs.

Some green energy projects could be part of the  Mid-Wales Growth Deal.

Declaring a climate emergency, acknowledges that climate change is a real threat and that there is a need to become “carbon-neutral” by various methods by 2030.