ELECTION candidates in Clacton vowed to fight the global threat of climate change should they be voted into power next month.

The exhausting topic of Brexit is likely to prove decisive in the forthcoming General Election vote in Clacton on December 12 but the election hopefuls have also shared their plans on how to tackle the environmental crisis.

Lib Dem candidate Callum Robertson says the party aims to invest in planting 60 million trees and reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2045.

Mr Robertson has started to take steps to cut down his own carbon footprint by using more public transport.

He said: “We have a climate emergency on our hands. We need to take the climate crisis seriously.

“The clock is ticking and the only way to get the urgent changes is to each do our bit alongside businesses mucking in too.”

The Green party’s candidate Chris Southall has long campaigned for more climate awareness and often joins Extinction Rebellion rallies.

He said the party is working to persuade Tendring Council to declare a climate emergency adding the risk of flooding needs to be seriously addressed.

He said: “Action by government and councils is key to fighting the climate crisis but changes to our individual lifestyles have a part to play as well.

“Flooding from the sea threatens us here in Tendring and scientists are predicting up to a metre of sea level rise by the end of the century.

“Other parties are making many promises but what we urgently need now as Green MPs to ensure action and not just words.”

Just-John Sexton, of the Looney Party, said climate change could be helped by reducing traffic by making public transport more affordable and he backs the use in renewable energy.

Mr Sexton said: “Climate change is a global issue and should be treated as such.

“There is so much waste in the area and reducing that can only be a good thing.

“We should also limit printed party election publications which I am doing by only using a single A6 sheet.”

Labour candidate Kevin Bonavia believes making electric cars more cost effective could be the way forward.

He said: “We all have a role to play in reducing emissions that are making climate change worse and polluting our air which is killing thousands of people every year.

“A good government can help us make those changes by improving bus services across Tendring and making it much cheaper to buy and run electric cars.”

Andrew Morgan, who is standing as an independent, said he would look to improve recycling rates.

He also wants to make it mandatory for schools to teach children about recycling and climate change from an early age.

He said: “I am in tune with climate change and I believe at a local level people can play a big part in helping.

“I support free energy but I think recycling is a massive thing. We need to get rid of packaging and I will really push the council to recycle more as well.

Colin Bennett, who is also standing independently, will use his experience as a taxi driver to try to make sure taxis are more eco-friendly.

He has also urged his work colleagues to turn off their engines when they are waiting to pick up passengers.

He said: “We need to think green more often and I will put more emphasis on smart meters to regulate nuclear electric power.

“I have already spoken to the taxi licensing department regarding electric and hybrid taxis and we need to make buses far more cleaner.”

Conservative Giles Watling says his party, if elected, will continue the work it has started in order to impact the planet in a positive way.

He said: “Climate change is an important and emotive issue and it is right those who wish to demonstrate on this matter can do so.

“But we must also recognise what this Government has already achieved.

“A Conservative majority will put concrete measures in place to reduce our environmental impact further.

“We all need to do more, even if it is just planting a tree, as I did with a sapling gifted by Extinction Rebellion.”