County council rescinds climate change declaration and lays out plans to cancel Net Zero targets

The motion, which was voted through at a full council meeting on Friday (19 September), comes as the Reform-led council released a report setting out plans to abandon efforts to meet Net Zero targets previously set by the council.

The motion also says the council should "consider any energy scheme proposal with an analysis of its business case" which "should consider economic, social and environmental impacts and consequences".

Background information provided by Kent's Reform UK group said the council's 2019 climate emergency declaration had "endorsed the unproven view of anthropogenic (human-induced) climate change".

It also said the declaration had hurt small, local businesses and "scared numerous young people, and had the effect of disallowing proper and reasoned debate on alternative viewpoints".

The motion passed with 50 votes for and 21 against, with three abstentions.

A strategy document setting out Reform's plans for the council over the next four years meanwhile said the council would scrap its "unattainable" Net Zero 2030 target and focus environment policy on direct benefits to Kent residents.

The document, which was also considered by full council on Friday, said: "The rush to declare a climate emergency and the introduction of Net Zero targets in councils, without any thought as to the practicality or financial burden they placed on hard pressed council taxpayers was a mistake."

Under the plans, the council will replace the climate emergency declaration with a new Energy and Low Emissions Strategy, and ensure there is an effective waste management and recycling service that is value for money and improves rates of recycling through a simpler and efficient process.

It also aims to move the council's focus onto helping businesses and residents adapt to "our changing climate by conserving water and other natural resources".

The leader has previously said that cancelling the council's Net Zero renewable energy programme of property modifications would save £32m over four years.

She also had said that cancelling plans to transition Kent's vehicle fleet to electric vehicles would save a further £7.5m by 2030.

The strategy document also showed that the council's DOLGE team "will systematically look at every penny of KCC spend, taking learning and best practice from the private sector to drive us to better control of costs, wherever possible".

This will include a review of all of the council's contracts to assess value for money, as well as an effort to manage contracts once agreed and take remedial action where appropriate.

Adam Carey