COUNTY councils on both sides of the Wye have said they will work to reduce the amount of carbon emissions they produce.

Monmouthshire Council last week became the first in Gwent to declare a ‘climate emergency’, while Gloucestershire County Council committed to an 80 per cent cut in its emissions of greenhouse gases by no later than 2030 – with the aim of making it 100 per cent by ‘off-setting’ its carbon use.

The ruling Conservative group on the Welsh authority was accused of ‘watering down’ a motion by Caldicot Liberal Democrat councillor Jo Watkins.

The Tories successfully suggested an amendment committing the council to ‘striving’ to reduce emissions, rather than ‘ensuring’ they are cut.

But they backed down on efforts to remove a target of a reduction of 1.5C in global warming from the motion.

Conservative councillor Richard John (Mitchel Troy) said there was a “a strong case” for building new roads while working towards greener vehicles.

Liberal Democrat Jez Becker (Chepstow, St Mary’s) said removing the target of 1.5C “would take the teeth out” of the climate declaration.

Council leader Peter Fox (Con, Portskewett) said the amendment was about “being realistic” about what the county council could achieve.

Gloucestershire County Council has agreed to try and deliver a ‘carbon neutral’ county by 2050 and will call on the government to provide additional powers to achieve an 80 per cent reduction in the next 11 years.

Contractors may in future have to report their carbon emissions when applying for work with the county council, and a carbon/environmental cost could be placed on all contracts.

Deputy leader of the Lib Dem group, Cllr Ian Dobie (Leckhampton), said: “I am delighted that we have agreed to strive toward a zero carbon estate by 2030.

“This motion represents the start of a journey towards a greener Gloucestershire,” he claimed.

Cabinet member for environment, Cllr Nigel Moor (Con, Stow-on-the-Wold), said: “Climate change is an urgent issue and we are already taking a leading role in the county, by challenging ourselves and others to take steps towards becoming carbon neutral.

“We are holding a climate change summit next week with Gfirst Local Enterprise Partnership, with the ambition for Gloucestershire as a whole to be carbon neutral by 2050.”

Cllr Rachel Smith, leader of the Green group, said, “This is a good step forward for our county, and the positive public debate on the matter enabled the building of consensus around the chamber.

Cllr Lesley Williams, Labour group leader at the county council, said, “I am pleased that the council will be doing all in our power to make change happen.

“This county is full of passionate and innovative people.”