Durham County Council has reversed course on climate action, voting to scrap both its climate emergency declaration and net-zero pledge this week. The move, spearheaded by newly elected Reform UK councillors, marks a significant shift in environmental policy for the region.
The decision, confirmed on Thursday, effectively abandons previous commitments to drastically reduce carbon emissions. Reform UK members argue these targets were unrealistic and economically damaging. Net zero refers to achieving a balance between greenhouse gas emissions and removals.
Critics condemn the rollback as a setback for environmental progress, while supporters hail it as a pragmatic approach. Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, called the previous targets "virtue-signalling." The council's future climate strategy remains unclear.