Protests as county council abandons Net Zero

Extinction Rebellion climate activists gathered yesterday to protest against Lincolnshire County Council’s abandonment of Net Zero targets in its new environment strategy.

As reported on Hello Lincoln councillors had already agreed to scrap Net Zero as it replaced the county’s Green Masterplan, introduced before Reform took over the authority, with a new Environment Policy, which was ratified yesterday.

Opponents of the new policy say its abandonment of Lincolnshire becoming Net Zero by 2050 not only puts the county’s environment at risk, but also 12,000 jobs and £1.2 billion in economic value.

The campaigners’ spokesperson Rosemary Robinson explained: "The Reform-led county council continues to deny that climate change is man-made, despite the fact that the 1.5C rise in global temperatures over the past few decades is the highest and sharpest the planet has experienced in 800,000 years. 

“Its refusal to acknowledge the evidence of over 99% of climate scientists jeopardises the livelihoods, homes, health and safety of all Lincolnshire's residents. “We are already experiencing severe flooding and droughts in the county and every increase in the temperature, however small, will only exacerbate extreme weather events. 

“Recent Government reports state that up to 90% of properties in the Skegness and Boston areas will be at risk of flooding as the temperature, rainfall and sea levels increase. Residents will soon find that their properties are becoming uninsurable.

"The Council's new Environment Policy also opposes large scale infrastructure projects such as onshore wind farms, solar panels or electricity transmission pylons, which would reduce the UK's reliance on CO2 emitting fossil fuels.  

“Instead, it is campaigning to exploit the county's gas and oil fields and reverse the ban on fracking. It is well known that 90% of Reform's funding comes from individuals and companies associated with fossil fuel interests, so perhaps we shouldn't be surprised."

Pictured above are Extinction Rebellion campaigners outside County Hall, Lincoln, and the activists (below) confront Leader of the Council, Sean Matthews as he arrives for yesterday’s meeting.