Reading Lib Dem Councillor Calls for Climate Accountability Following National Emergency Briefing

A Reading Liberal Democrat councillor is calling on Reading Borough Council to answer urgent questions about its preparedness for the accelerating impacts of climate change, following the Council's own screening of the National Emergency Briefing.

Councillor James Moore, who represents Tilehurst Ward, has submitted a multi-part question to the Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport for answer at full Council, after watching the Briefing — a landmark presentation by ten of the UK's leading scientists and experts, delivered to an audience of politicians, business leaders and community figures.

The Briefing presented stark evidence that 1 in 4 properties in England will be at flood risk by 2050, that UK winter rainfall has already risen 10% since 1980, and that the Climate Change Committee has found not a single assessed sector in the country is currently being delivered at a good level on climate adaptation. Reading, which sits at the confluence of the Thames and Kennet, is particularly exposed to flooding risk.

Cllr Moore said: "The National Emergency Briefing set out the scale of what we are facing with clarity and urgency. I was glad the Council chose to screen it. But screening it has to mean something — it has to prompt action and accountability, not just awareness.

"I want to know whether Reading's flood infrastructure investment is being planned for the climate of 2050, not just the climate of today. I want to know whether our emergency planning has been tested against back-to-back disasters rather than single events. And I want to know whether the most vulnerable residents in our town — those least able to protect themselves — are being prioritised in our response.

"Reading has a genuinely strong track record on cutting emissions, and I welcome that. But reducing emissions and adapting to the climate impacts that are already locked in are two different challenges. My questions are about the second one."

Cllr Moore's question also raises the governance of climate scrutiny in Reading, noting that responsibility is shared between the Council and the independent Reading Climate Change Partnership. He is asking what mechanism exists to allow elected members to hold climate adaptation delivery to account, and whether the Council will commit to annual public reporting against the Climate Change Committee's local authority indicators.

The question will be put to the Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport at the next full Council meeting.