CUMBRIA has set a new target for the county to become carbon neutral – but has not yet set a date when it will be met, a meeting heard.

It has prompted questions from councillors who have concerns about the clock ticking on global warming.

The lack of a date was questioned by Liberal Democrat councillor Will Clark, of Ambleside, at a meeting of Cumbria County Council.

Mr Clark, who represents the Lakes, welcomed the “commitment” but said it was important to commit to a date.

He called for more action to “maximise energy efficiency, promote sustainable travel, and support for the community to reduce energy consumption.”

This would all help reduce the amount of C02 produced into the atmosphere which has been attributed to the planet heating up.

Neil Hughes, a Liberal Democrat for Eden Lakes, said more sustainable transport was needed in the Lake District National Park.

Celia Tibble, cabinet member for the environment, said a target date was being worked on but had to be “credible and achievable”.

She said the UK Government’s national target was an 80 per cent reduction in emissions by 2050, although the UN said there were just 12 years left to avert “climate change catastrophe”. She said work was “under way” to set a target for Cumbria to become carbon neutral.

“For Cumbria to achieve its ambition, all partners will need to co-operate and take positive action as individual organisations and collectively. We also need to understand what policy the Government will introduce and what resources will be put in place to enable councils to help reduce carbon emissions.”

She said the county council had introduced “low energy” schemes in many buildings.

The authority also uses video conferencing, recycling, and “agile” working to reduce the need for car journeys, along with a low-emission pool car fleet.

Cabinet member for highways, Cllr Keith Little, said the council had previously secured £5.9 million funding for sustainable transport.

“We have got buses, boats and extra facilities for cyclists around the Lakes which is really good,” said Cllr Little who represents Maryport South for Labour.

“There are other opportunities and we will work with the national park, Highways England, the European regional development fund and the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership to deliver a package of improvements to increase sustainable travel.”