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The States Assembly has voted to declare a 'climate change emergency' in Jersey - by 40 votes in favour and one against.
The move, which follows a similar one voted on by the UK government yesterday, means that the Environment Minister, Deputy John Young, will have to come up with an action plan on how to tackle the issue of global warming and make Jersey carbon neutral by 2030.
In a rousing speech, Reform Jersey's Deputy Rob Ward, who brought the proposals to the States Assembly, called on politicians to back his climate battle, telling them that although Jersey is a small nation, it should be "forward-thinking" and "lead the way" for change.
Pictured: Deputy Rob Ward, who brought the proposition.
In the end, 40 politicians chose to back the motion, with only Senator Sarah Ferguson voting against.
The Senator said that, although she supported the environment, she didn't feel she could support the motion following a speech that likened ecological socialism to "a dictatorship".
It comes after numerous protests in recent weeks by islanders young and old.
Video: Young people protesting climate change last month.
Last month, dozens of young people took part in the 'FridaysForFuture' campaign.
Carrying signs including phrases such as "There is no planet B" and "only fools want fossil fuels", they appeared outside the States Chamber in a rally inspired by 16-year-old activist Greta Thurnberg, who sat outside the Swedish parliament protesting the lack of action against climate change.
Weeks later, they were followed by a Jersey branch of the international Extinction Rebellion movement, who laid down three demands - including urging the government to "tell the truth" and declare an "ecological emergency".
Video: Extinction Rebellion protestors in the Royal Square.
Then this week, 'Mothers Rise Up Jersey' - "a grassroots movement powered by mothers to demand drastic action to prevent catastrophic climate breakdown and protect our children's future" - joined the fray, alongside the National Trust for Jersey.
In a tweet following today's debate, Deputy Ward said he was "pleased" that the Assembly had voted to adopt his proposals.
"Let's get on with making the change we need for now and all of our futures."
The Minister for the Environment has since commented in a statement:
"I'm delighted that the States Assembly has recognised the urgent need for Jersey to accelerate its carbon reduction actions, aiming to be carbon-neutral by 2030. On behalf of the Council of Ministers I will bring forward a plan on how to achieve this to the States Assembly by the end of 2019.
"This aim supports the existing Energy Plan actions, and aligns with the 'to protect and value our environment' key strategic priority in the Common Strategic Policy, adopted by the Assembly in December 2018.
"Achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 is extremely ambitious and challenging and will require new policies and measures. The majority of the island's emissions arise from hydrocarbon space heating in homes and businesses and from our travel and transport, both on-island and from eternal links.
"I will be encouraging the Assembly to be brave and make difficult decisions to reduce our carbon emissions. In making these decisions the States Assembly will need to evaluate the social and economic impacts of their commitment to the island and islanders in the future."
The #StatesAssembly is now debating @DeputyRobWard's proposition re #ClimateChange. He proposes #JerseyCI be carbon neutral by 2030, that @GovJersey publish a climate impact assessment by 2020 and that climate change be considered in every meeting of Council of Ministers.
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 1, 2019
.@DeputyRobWard is also asking the #StatesAssembly to agree there is a climate emergency which will have profound effects in #JerseyCI. #ClimateChangeIsReal
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 1, 2019
.@DeputyTadier speaks of #ClimateChange, saying the problem is that it's generally accepted #ClimateChangeIsReal, but that people refuse to change their lifestyles or feel powerless to do so. He says there's an important balance between Gov, business & individual responsibility.
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 1, 2019
The Minister for the Environment, @johnyhil, has proposed an amendment to @deputyrobward's proposition, suggesting his dept undertake an assessment of how #JerseyCI might become carbon-neutral by 2030 & review how carbon reduction might be sped-up in the island. #ClimateChange
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 1, 2019
.@CarolynLabey reiterates @Moore4Jersey's sentiments that the #ClimateChange proposition be inc. in the @GovJersey Plan so that it forms a direction, not just a request. Labey wants to see figs & scenarios to evidence what'll happen to our island in the context of a 2°+ temp rise
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 1, 2019
The Minister for International Development, Deputy @CarolynLabey, says, "Climate change isn't scare-mongering, it is real." #StatesAssembly #JerseyCI #ClimateChangeIsReal #ClimateEmergency
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 1, 2019
Deputy Steve Luce highlights statistics published this week which show the #Environment and #ClimateChange are now the top priority for EU voters: https://t.co/ZmHuEkb2mc #StatesAssembly
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 1, 2019
.@Scott_Wickenden says he can't support the amendment proposed by the Minister for the Environment @johnyhil as he believes the amendment is "unambitious" & "unpromising" #StatesAssembly #ClimateChange @deputyrobward
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 1, 2019
The Constable of St Lawrence, Deidre Mezbourian, says that if the #StatesAssembly wants @GovJersey to make an effort to draw up a #ClimateChange plan & for #JerseyCI to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, the only way to get that message across is to reject @johnyhil's amendment
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 1, 2019
The Minister for Children & Housing, Sam Mézec @ReformJersey says, "The planet is heading in a direction which is disastrous and we absolutely have to do something about it, and with that backdrop, there is no such thing as too ambitious." #ClimateChangeIsReal #StatesAssembly
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 1, 2019
The Minister for Children & Housing, Sam Mézec @ReformJersey, asks the #StatesAssemly to reject the amendment from The Minister for the Environment @johnyhil but to support @deputyrobward's proposition unamended. Find the proposition here: https://t.co/MGO3ITjVgQ #ClimateChange
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 1, 2019
Senator Kristina @Moore4Jersey tells the #StatesAssembly that, "It is better to try & fail, than to not try at all." She says that if we try, we will at least make improvements to air quality, reduce emissions & improve lives. She asks the Assembly to reject @johnyhil's amendment
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 1, 2019
1/2. The Minister for Infrastructure @klewis44558548 tells the #StatesAssembly that there are 2 charging points in all multi-storey car parks in #JerseyCI, & that he is looking to expand that to 10 per car park which would create an additional 60 charging bays. #ClimateChange
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 1, 2019
2/2 The Minister says he wants to create bus lanes where possible, that he is in discussions re an eastern cycle-track and that he would also consider bringing trams to #JerseyCI. He asks Members how they got to the Chamber today, making the point that we all have to do our bit.
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 1, 2019
2/2 The Minister says he wants to create bus lanes where possible, that he is in discussions re an eastern cycle-track and that he would also consider bringing trams to #JerseyCI. He asks Members how they got to the Chamber today, making the point that we all have to do our bit.
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 1, 2019
.@deputyrobward highlights the financial impact of uncontrolled #ClimateChange & rising sea levels, which he says will result #JerseyCI losing its financial security. He asks the #StatesAssembly to reject the amendment as it is "a drop in the ocean" compared to what's needed.
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 1, 2019
The Deputy @DeputyRobWard goes onto say we are letting down the young people of our island & that we must "act now because we are running out of time." He adds that a 1.5° increase will have profound effects for our island. #ClimateChangeIsReal #StatesAssembly
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 1, 2019
Asst CM, Chris Taylor, states @GovJersey is the 1st gov in #JerseyCI to inc. #environment in its Strategic Policy which shows how seriously they take #ClimateChange.He says there'll be a loss of GST, emission duty etc. which causes us to have to choose between ed, health and env
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 1, 2019
The Minister for the Environment @johnyhil starts today by saying, "There is a clear consensus in this Assembly that we have to address #climatechange change. There's no disagreeing we are in an emergency situation." #StatesAssembly
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 2, 2019
The Minister for the Environment @johnyhil says he thinks @deputyrobward's proposition is too general with no focus on who is responsible. He adds that there aren't any resources in place to get the job done in light of the structural deficit. #StatesAssembly
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 2, 2019
The Minister for the Env @johnyhil goes onto say that if his amendment to @deputyrobward's proposition isn't adopted, his department will struggle to find resources. He says a 12-year plan is required&that if he doesn't perform, the #StatesAssembly can dismiss him. #ClimateChange
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 2, 2019
.@johnyhil says that whether his amendment is adopted or not, he will vote in favour of @deputyrobward's proposition, but that he believes his amendments provide the best way of addressing the #climatechangeemergeny. #StatesAssembly
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 2, 2019
The #StatesAssembly has voted to REJECT Part A of @johnyhil's amendment to @deputyrobward's proposition (RESULT: 22 FOR vs. 25 AGAINST) but ADOPTED Part B (RESULT 24 FOR vs. 23 AGAINST) #ClimateChangeEmergency
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 2, 2019
Find out what has been rejected and adopted as part of @johnyhil's amendments to @deputyrobward's #ClimateChangeEmergency proposition here: https://t.co/800O4mmlhh Part A REJECTED, Part B ADOPTED.
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 2, 2019
.@DeputyTadier says we need to reform our economic system & that capitalism is in large part responsible for #ClimateChange. He believes ecological socialism is the answer which would see people paying for the damage they cause via higher taxes on things like petrol-use.
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 2, 2019
.@SCFerguson13 apologises to the farming community & to the #StatesAssembly, saying farmers are doing more to improve the carbon-content of their soil than she said in yesterday's #ClimateChange debate. She also says she is a firm capitalist & believes in equality of opportunity.
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 2, 2019
Constable Taylor says he'll support @deputyrobward's #ClimateChangeEmergency proposition, but that "common sense" is needed to tackle the challenge & urges Members to understand this. He gives the example of a higher carbon footprint for discarding all diesel vehicles at once.
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 2, 2019
The #StatesAssembly has voted to ADOPT @DeputyRobWard’s proposition to declare a #ClimateChangeEmergency & request that #JerseyCI aim to be carbon-neutral by 2030. RESULT: 40 FOR vs. 1 AGAINST. Find the Deputy's proposition as amended here: https://t.co/MGO3ITjVgQ
— States Assembly (@StatesAssembly) May 2, 2019
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