Protesters call Suffolk County Council ‘hypocrites’ over climate declaration scrapping
Decision sparks backlash from councillors and campaigners
Protesters have accused Suffolk County councillors of hypocrisy after the council decided to scrap its climate emergency declaration.
The declaration, which was initially made in March 2019, aimed to highlight Suffolk County Council's commitment to reducing emissions and achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
However, following the recent change to a Reform UK administration, the future of the declaration was uncertain.
In a meeting today, Councillor Morgan Brobyn, responsible for food, waste, and rural affairs, proposed a motion to formally rescind the declaration.
He clarified that he did 'not deny climate change’ but suggested that the emergency label had become more 'symbolic' than 'useful'.
Councillor Tony Gould also expressed scepticism, suggesting there 'is no emergency' and attributing climate change to 'greedy industrialists’ fostering a ‘new lucrative industry’.
The motion proposed withdrawing the emergency declaration from council policy and instead acknowledging that the ‘climate is changing’, resulting in hotter summers and more frequent extreme weather.
It also committed the council to review all its environmental projects.
The motion passed with 47 votes in favour and 16 against, even as over 70 councillors and campaigners gathered outside the council’s offices to protest.
Protest against decision
Adrian Ramsay, MP for Waveney Valley, criticised the move as 'deeply irresponsible'.
Andrew Stringer, leader of the Greens, pledged to continue advocating for climate change action.
Richard Beeby of Suffolk's Fire Brigades Union emphasised the importance of the declaration for firefighters, citing inadequate gear when dealing with wildfires.
Siobhan Harris from Sudbury expressed concerns, stating: “I think that they’re being hypocrites and that they’re putting the lives of Suffolk residents at risk.”
Review of environmental projects
The new administration has vowed to assess the performance of all climate projects and retain those that prove cost-effective.
Since 2019, approximately £14.7 million has been invested in around 150 decarbonisation programmes, primarily using Government grants and interest-free loans, with £3.8 million from the council's reserves.
These funds have been allocated on an 'invest-to-save' basis, with projects anticipated to deliver savings.
Council data reveals that without these interventions, energy bills would now be £4.8 million higher, alongside a reduction of nearly 8,000 tonnes in CO2 emissions.
Solar panels across council buildings and car parks are estimated to save around £600,000 annually in energy costs.