Council set to axe climate emergency declaration

Reform UK-led Barnsley Council is planning to end its climate emergency declaration. The party has started a review of all climate and net-zero activities, advising programmes without clear benefits, savings, or statutory requirements should be altered or discontinued. The council intends to withdraw the 2019 Climate Emergency declaration, Zero40, Zero45, and similar net-zero targets, redirecting resources toward essential services.

Council leader William Brown emphasized their focus on practical priorities that matter to residents, rather than ideological targets and expensive political posturing. Under the Climate Change Act, the UK is legally obligated to reach net zero by 2050, meaning balancing human activities' greenhouse gas production with their removal from the atmosphere.

Zero40 aims for Barnsley Council's operations and carbon emissions to reach net zero by 2040, while Zero45 targets complete net zero for the borough by 2045, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A 2024 report revealed the council was not on track to reduce carbon emissions. Brown stated the council would continue supporting practical work with clear resident and business benefits, including initiatives that lower energy bills, improve homes and council buildings' energy efficiency, decrease long-term costs, aid local businesses, secure external funding for the borough, and meet statutory duties. The war on woke, Brown added, is only just beginning; they have taken the first steps but have more work ahead.

An initial report will be completed by the end of September. Earlier this year, Reform-led councils, including Wakefield and Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Councils, Sunderland Council, South Tyneside Council, and Walsall Council, also voted to rescind their climate and biodiversity emergency declarations from 2019.