Wakefield Council, now under Reform UK control, is set to abandon its 2030 carbon neutrality target and cut its climate change budget by £170,000. Cabinet members will vote on July 21 to end climate-related activities, unpublish the climate action plan, and withdraw from the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission pledge. The council says the original targets were unachievable and that money should go toward property upgrades, vehicle fleet renewal, recycling, and energy efficiency support for residents and businesses. This move follows the council's June vote to overturn climate emergency and biodiversity declarations made in 2019 under Labour leadership. Reform won 58 of 63 seats in May's local elections. The council will also scrap the climate change elected member champion role and end support for the Wakefield Net Zero Partnership, which connected local organizations on sustainability. Council leader Karl Johnson says the focus will shift to making the council's 1,600-plus property portfolio more efficient instead of funding standalone climate programs.
