UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Reform UK-run councils plan to scrap net zero pledges, reversing award-winning climate work despite heatwaves and warnings from British scientists.
As reported by The Guardian, two former award-winning councils under Reform UK plan to drop their emissions pledges.
Which two Reform councils may scrap climate goals?
Durham’s council deputy leader, Darren Grimes, a former GB News presenter, has submitted a motion to revoke the 2019 climate emergency pledge, in what’s reportedly a first in the UK.
West Northamptonshire Council, now under Reform control, is expected to scrap its net-zero commitments, marking a major shift in local climate policy.
What did Mark Wilkes say about Reform’s move?
Durham was awarded in December for best carbon reduction, recognising 15 years of consistent climate work.
Mark Wilkes, Durham’s former climate lead, labelled the Reform proposal “morally reprehensible” and “economically illiterate.”
He confirmed cross-party opposition was expected as the Reform-led council prepared to debate the motion on Wednesday.
Mr Wilkes said,
“Over the last few years, we have secured millions of pounds of external funding and have reduced council costs through our climate emergency plans and invest to save projects,” adding “We took Durham county council to the best in the region at tackling climate related issues and Reform are now doing their best to reverse the positive work we have been doing.”
West Northamptonshire council’s response to its climate U-turn
West Northamptonshire has announced that it will abandon its net-zero goals for 2030 and 2045, which were revealed by the previous administration. Despite a climate strategy being signed off on in March after months of planning by the former leadership, the new council is now shifting direction.
According to the council, the “refocus” will help to
“focus its limited resources on matters which directly benefit local people and businesses”
And reflects
“the limited ability of the council to materially affect global warming given the many factors outside of its control.”
The council’s net-zero plans will face cabinet scrutiny on Wednesday, with a final decision expected.
An official report reveals the council will maintain its sustainability strategy, which “has been shown to have real benefits for residents and businesses” and continues to support “the UK’s 2050 net zero target”. The council was praised for its environmental efforts in 2023.
Mark Arnull’s response on climate priorities
Mark Arnull, West Northamptonshire council leader, said,
“We’re fully committed to creating a more sustainable West Northamptonshire, looking after and improving our environment, and we want to further prioritise our focus on delivering practical, high-impact projects that make a real difference to people’s lives.”
What did the climate watchdog say about Reform-led councils?
Isaac Beevor of Climate Emergency UK slammed the councils for neglecting public interest, accusing them of “showing an obsession with pleasing Reform Party leadership.”
He added,
“Rescinding a climate emergency or scrapping net zero targets during a heatwave and following the driest spring in 100 years, with farmers struggling to grow crops and vulnerable people forced into A&E as councils issue heatwave alerts, is extreme.”
What did the Met Office warn about climate extremes?
Mike Kendon from the Met Office said,
“Breaking records frequently and seeing these extremes, this is now the norm. We might not notice the change from one year to the next, but if we look back 10 years or 30 years, we can see some really big changes. We’re moving outside the envelope of what we’ve known in the past.”
He added,
“The extremes have the greatest impact on our society, if we think about our infrastructure, our public health, and how we function. So this is really of profound concern.”
What did the Reform councillor say about global warming?
Reform councillor Bert Bingham has dismissed global warming as a “hoax.” He stated that figures were “manipulated” and that “people have been brainwashed over time through the media.”
He added,
“I’ve been involved in award-winning sustainability projects for 25 years, and I’ve never seen such nonsense as the anthropogenic global warming hoax.”
Ed Miliband’s views on the climate crisis
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said,
“I feel a deep sense of responsibility to the British people to tell them the truth about what we know about the climate and nature crisis. I want this to become an annual statement where it’s an exercise in radical truth-telling about the state of the climate and nature.”
He added,
“When I talk about this on Monday, all parties are going to have to decide how they respond. And those who respond by saying: ‘There’s nothing to worry about, we don’t need to do anything’ – frankly, it is the worst sort of betrayal of today’s and future generations. They need to be called out, and we are going to call them out. We are not going to let the shared commitment that we need to tackle this crisis disappear by default.”
UK net-zero goals
- Net zero by 2050: UK law mandates zero net emissions by 2050.
- 2030 aim: Cut emissions by 68% (from 1990 levels).
- 2035 goal: Reduce emissions by 78% (sixth carbon budget).
- Future plans: The Seventh carbon budget is due by 2026.
- Sector focus: Clean power, EVs, heat pumps, and no new oil/gas.