Following a motion at Full Council, Thurrock Council has rescinded the Climate Emergency it declared in 2019 and dropped its commitment to achieving net zero by 2030.
Cllr George Monk, who put forward the motion, said: “It was high time that the council properly recognised that it was impossible for it to achieve net zero in less than four years.
“Previously, they had attempted to walk back the meaning of the 2019 motion and its commitment to net zero by 2030, choosing to redefine its goal as a continuous reduction in energy costs.
“This lacked the courage to simply and clearly say that it was not possible for the council to achieve net zero in the timescale that it had set itself.
“Instead, this new decision brings clarity to the situation, rescinds the Climate Emergency declaration that was the driver of the unrealistic targets and allows us to work from a level playing field going forward.
“While we undoubtedly will seek to reduce energy costs and wastage, we will not be attempting to rebrand it as carbon emissions reductions to fudge figures and hit an unrealistic target.
“It means we can focus on the important work of protecting our environment and, through leadership and working with partners across the borough, we will greatly improve the look of our borough to be maintained for generations to come.”