A Reform UK local authority has scrapped its target to become carbon neutral by 2050. Councillor Sean Matthews, leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said the aim was “completely unachievable” as he criticised “unreasonable” net zero goals.
Reform UK, which continues to top national opinion polls, is sceptical over net zero — leader Nigel Farage last year referred to it as “net stupid zero”. Financial concerns were raised over how the 2050 target would be achieved during a Lincolnshire County Council meeting on Tuesday which was reportedly interrupted twice by environmental protesters. The group, which was mainly made of Extinction Rebellion members, claimed the council didn’t care about climate change and said time was running out to stop disaster.
The Reform administration says it will continue to cut its carbon emissions, but would only spend government money to avoid expense for Lincolnshire taxpayers, LincolnshireLive reports.
Speaking outside the meeting, Extinction Rebellion member Eddie Francis told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “It’s completely irresponsible to drop net zero by 2050.
“You only have to look at the news to know extreme weather events are a big concern for Lincolnshire.”
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Christine Brookman said: “I’m worried about my children and grandchildren’s future. Reform seems to be ignoring the fact that there’s a climate emergency.”
The meeting was adjourned twice after cries from the public gallery, including one who shouted out: “So short-sighted”.
The change is part of a new Green Masterplan adopted by the council.
Councillor Danny Brookes, the executive for the environment, said: “These are unachievable goals that the government has set for us, but hasn’t given anybody any money to do it. They’ve expected the taxpayer to fund it all.”
Cllr Matthews said: “I care deeply about the environment, we just have different views on how it can be achieved. 50 years means nothing for the planet – it’s been around for billions of years.
“Net zero goals are completely unachievable and unreasonable. We think it’s better to make the planet a better place in slow time rather than rush to it.
“My priority is looking after the people of Lincolnshire – that means money and a better environment for them to live in. It means no solar farms destroying our wonderful crops.
“That’s the type of environment I’m trying to protect, not some gas that we make no difference to.”
Council officers said the authority would continue to protect and enhance the environment and adapt to a changing climate.
The council’s carbon emissions have nearly halved since the introduction of the net zero goal in 2016.