THURROCK Council has voted to scrap its climate emergency declaration and review its approach to net zero after a motion brought forward by Reform UK councillors was approved.

The decision overturns the authority's 2019 declaration of a climate emergency, bringing Thurrock into line with a small but growing number of councils across England that have reversed similar commitments.

The motion, proposed by Reform Cllr George Monk, formally rescinds the declaration and commits the council to reviewing its policies and activities related to net zero.

The review will seek to align environmental work with the administration's priorities while ensuring compliance with legal duties and national guidance.

Presenting the motion, Cllr Monk insisted the move was not about rejecting climate change.

"This motion is not about denying climate change but about being responsible in how we look after Thurrock," he said.

"We already have statutory duties that remain unaffected by the declaration of a climate emergency.

"For nearly seven years, we have not moved any closer to achieving the target.

"Previous administrations ignored it, watered it down and kicked the can down the road. We can change that today."

He argued the original declaration had not been matched by practical action and pointed to a council report presented earlier this year which identified weaknesses in the authority's previous approach, including limited capacity, fragmented governance and shortcomings in energy and carbon data.

"The 2019 motion set a self-imposed target that brought the deadline forward by 20 years. With four years to go, that target is simply unachievable," he said.

"This motion is about taking a realistic approach and ensuring we continue to protect the environment for future generations."

The proposal was seconded by Reform councillor Tom Kelly, who said the public had been "sold net zero on optimistic numbers".

Labour councillor Aaron Green urged members to reject the motion, arguing it echoed similar proposals being brought forward by Reform-controlled councils elsewhere in the country.

He highlighted a report considered by the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee in January which set out a revised and more pragmatic approach to tackling climate change.

"That approach focused on making the best use of existing resources, invest-to-save projects and external funding," he said.

"It prioritised reducing carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency and helping to reduce costs for residents."

Cllr Green also challenged council leader Richard Bingley to show the same commitment to environmental issues that he had demonstrated while leading Plymouth City Council, where he created a cabinet post dedicated to climate and sustainability.

Reform Cllr Russell Cherry backed the motion, acknowledging that some carbon-reduction projects had delivered positive results but arguing that wider net zero policies had left the UK increasingly dependent on overseas energy supplies.

Despite Labour's opposition, the motion was carried, formally bringing Thurrock's seven-year-old climate emergency declaration to an end.