An official of Green Council apologized for a major error in judgement’ while flying from Brighton, England to COP26 – after slamming the government’s handling on climate change.
Phelim Mac Cafferty is the Leader of Brighton and Hove City Council’s Green Group. He said that he flew the 1 hour and 20 minutes because trains could be delayed.
After completing his 460-mile journey, Cllr Mac Cafferty made a speech on cutting carbon emissions and appeared at a protest march, led by Greta Thunberg, calling for world leaders to stop temperatures rising.
Yesterday, the politician who chairs BHCC’s carbon neutral working group admitted to his error.
The leader of Green Party that controls the council Cllr Mac Cafferty unreservedly apologized, saying that he was worried about his train being cancelled.
He stated that he flew from London to Glasgow on Friday night to attend COP26. There, he was invited to present the Glasgow Declaration to the public Saturday morning.
“This decision not to fly was a serious failure in my judgement, and it goes against the principles and pledges of my political group. For this I completely apologise.”
Councillor PhelimMac Cafferty from Brighton and Hove City Council took a flight to COP26
The protest marched was led by Greta Thunberg during the visit of Mr. Trump to Scotland.
Dawn Barnett from the Conservative Council told The Brighton Argus he was a hypocrite’, and called for the Greens’ to take control of the City Council
She said, “Well, it’s absolutely disgusting.”
“He preaches and bleaches and says what we should do, but he doesn’t keep the rules in mind. This is very hypocritical.
“I’d like to see Greens become a party.”
This blunder occurs just days after Cllr Mac Cafferty declared that Brighton and Hove led the charge on climate change and social action.
Mac Cafferty indicated that he is concerned about how reliable the rail network was, as it makes it impossible for many people to travel to COP26.
Operators from the east- and westcoast mainlines cautioned against travelling to Glasgow from London during stormy conditions in the UK at the end of the month.
A march was organized by the politician to call for global leaders to end rising temperatures
Cllr Mac Cafferty said: “I reluctantly made this difficult decision, because I was concerned over the reliability of the rail network after the well-publicized difficulties faced by many who wanted to travel to Glasgow by train the week prior.
“I was worried that this would occur again, and it was important to not miss the chance to attend the crucial presentation for the city and lobby world leaders to share the exciting work being done in Brighton and Hove.
“I paid all costs associated with my transport. I don’t get paid for the speeches and meetings I give, nor am I working remotely from Glasgow.
The transport sector contributes large amounts to the carbon emission. Every significant travel we take has an effect on climate change. I’ll offset the carbon costs of my trip.
“I will take my return trip on train. I apologize again and will be taking my return journey on train.
Since July 2020, Cllr Mac Cafferty is the leader of the city’s government.
Cllr Mac Cafferty addressed a presentation at the Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration Presentation on Saturday. This was presented officially by 100 local governments, including Brighton and Hove City Council.
The speaker spoke at the event about how vital it was to reduce carbon emissions in agriculture and food.
Mac Cafferty, the Cllr. also marched alongside thousands of demonstrators demanding that leaders in the COP26 meetings take stronger action on climate change.
Glasgow was thronged with protestors, who braved the torrential rain and winds to marche through it. Cllr Mac Cafferty posted photos from the demonstration on Twitter.
Caroline Lucas, Green Member of Parliament (Green MP), confirmed that she has traveled by train to Glasgow.