Maldon Town Council is set to vote on whether to declare a climate emergency tonight (Monday, 31 January).

The declaration would support the council's aim of developing a climate strategy to become carbon neutral by 2030, ensuring its decisions, budgets and approaches to planning are in line with this shift.

The draft declaration prepared by the town council's climate change working group says: "Maldon is bounded by the River Chelmer and the Blackwater Estuary where river and sea defences are at risk of being below the acceptable level of protection, potentially causing flooding to valuable residential and agricultural land.

"Critical areas of air quality concern have also been identified within our town due to the increasing volume of vehicles and the use of older, more polluting heavy goods vehicles.

"With the prospect of greater development occurring in our town and the increased risk of sea levels and rising pollution, we will seek to identify ways to reduce carbon emissions across Maldon - by developing strong partnership links, improving transport initiatives, encouraging greener developments and supporting green infrastructure."

The town council also aims to use partnerships to deliver its goals, plans and shared resources, and seeks to include young people in the process.

The declaration aims to show councillors' "commitment to making a positive change which we hope will benefit our residents and future generations".

Maldon District Council declared a climate emergency in February last year, and this month adopted a climate action strategy in line with its aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

Town councillors will vote on the declaration at a full council meeting tonight.