Doncaster Councillors move to scrap 2019 climate emergency declaration
Reform UK, who have a majority in Doncaster, have criticised the move as purely symbolic - and say they want to focus on "getting the basics right".
The City of Doncaster Council will rescind the climate emergency it declared in 2019 if a motion proposed by Conservative and Reform UK councillors is approved.
A motion calls the 2019 declaration a “political and policy statement” with Councillor Cynthia Ransome, who is the proposer, saying the climate ’emergency’ distracts and prevents the council from delivering for residents.
Coun Ransome said: “I don’t want this situation where we’re chasing this state of emergency.
“I’m saying enough is enough. Let’s do the basics for the people of Doncaster.”
The Tory councillor’s motion was published as Doncaster enters another heatwave, three weeks after the city was put under an amber weather warning for heat, marginally outside a red warning, when the country experienced its hottest May day on record.
The Sprotbrough ward councillor said: “It is hot, but what’s Doncaster going to do about it?
“What is Doncaster going to do about it by declaring a state of emergency?”
She said she’s “not against” taking action on climate change, but suggested the 2019 declaration was an example of “doing things for the sake of it”.
Ransome’s motion, seconded by Reform UK’s Coun Rachel Reed, references that Doncaster Council’s ability to meet its 2030 and 2040 climate targets is under threat.
The council aims to reduce its emissions by 85 per cent by 2030 and reach Net Zero by 2040.
In January 2026, members of the authority’s audit committee received a strategic risk “deep dive” explaining that “delivering Net Zero is complex and resource-intensive”.
However, not meeting these targets risks “delayed or missed opportunities to deliver green economic growth, equality and health benefits, and reputational damage,”it was said.
“The overall trend is improving,” the report said.
“Although the 85 per cent reduction target by 2030 remains challenging, current performance shows strong progress.”
The motion submitted by Coun Ransome, which will go before councillors at a meeting on July 16, 2026, states that, if approved, it would not “weaken” the council’s environmental responsibilities.
It adds that the council is still committed to “protecting biodiversity, productive agricultural land, landscapes, air quality, communities and flood resilience”.