A Bracknell political party appears to have snubbed a request for information from a local campaign group.

The Bracknell Climate Action Group (BCAG) has called for the issue of climate change to be addressed by Bracknell Forest Council since February 2021, amid dismay that the council did not declare a climate emergency like its neighbours did in 2019.

Recently, BCAG asked the four main political parties in Bracknell Forest to clarify how they propose to boost the council’s work on climate issues.

The question comes while the political parties are on campaign for the all-out Bracknell Forest Council election that takes place on Thursday, May 4.

Although members of BCAG were “pleased”  to have some parties respond to requests for information speedily, no response has yet been forthcoming from the Liberal Democrats, and a Conservative response came in later than expected.

In responses to the BCAG request, the Labour Party said it would “pledge to develop a measurable, ambitious target-driven strategy for reducing emissions across the borough”.

The Labour spokesperson went on to say they would be active in involving Bracknell Forest residents and businesses to reduce carbon emissions in the borough.

They claimed they would also press the government to ensure new developments have EV charging points and that they are built in such a way that houses can remain cool.

Labour has also pledged to increase the number of journeys made by walking, cycling and public transport.

They also are committed to increasing the borough’s biodiversity with mixed-tree planting and ensuring that new developments increase wildlife habitats.

The Labour spokesperson said: “Climate change is the biggest threat to the quality of life for all our residents, now and in the future.”

Meanwhile, the Green Party spokesperson stated climate change must be treated as an emergency and that a rapid reduction in emissions is achieved with the “utmost urgency”.

The Greens went on to say they would tackle the issue with a cross-party Climate Change and Environmental Scrutiny Committee.

The spokesperson said: “Their role would be to inspect and analyse all actions of the council and Executive Committee and ensure the climate emergency underpins all on-going decisions, plans and strategies.

“All existing strategies, ranging from planning, business, travel and leisure should be revisited to ensure a core strategy that prioritises sustainability and carbon neutrality.”

The Greens went on to state they would pledge to target net zero significantly earlier than 2050 – aiming as near as possible to 2030.

BCAG member Kathryn O’Neal said: “We are pleased to see people are taking this seriously.

“We wanted to understand their proposals and communicate this to the people of Bracknell.”

Bracknell Forest Council declared a climate emergency in January this year after bipartisan negotiations between cllr Paul Bettison, the Conservative leader of the council, and cllr Mary Temperton, the leader of the Labour group.

Cllr Bettison responded to the request for information on Thursday, April 27.

His response states: “Your Conservative controlled council implemented a whole borough strategy (for the borough area), to address climate change. The strategy addresses the climate emergency, having measurable and ambitious targets. These targets are monitored regularly, in public, and by the full council, via an annual report.”

It also stated that the council is “fully committed” to reducing carbon emissions in line with the government’s stated climate target of net-zero by 2050.

Furthermore, cllr Bettison’s response added that the council has a detailed walking and cycling strategy and Biodiversity plan covering 2018-2023, which is currently up for renewal.

Conservative aims for tackling climate change are also laid out in its 2023 manifesto.

Featured as the second key area of the manifesto, the aims include increasing EV charging points, reducing carbon emissions the council is responsible for and improving recycling, among seven other goals.

The Bracknell Liberal Democrats do not appear to have a manifesto.

The Conservatives are contesting all 41 seats up for grabs, meanwhile the Lib Dems are standing candidates in five wards.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has emailed the Bracknell Lib Dems for a response.