Council rescinds climate emergency declaration
PA MediaA newly elected council leadership has rescinded the authority's climate emergency declaration with the councillor who put forward the motion to repeal saying the "polar bears are not extinct" and Sir David Attenborough's shows always contain "a global warming narrative".
Sunderland City Council, which was taken over by Reform UK in May, repealed the 2019 declaration on Wednesday at the new council's first full meeting.
Councillor Bill Blackett said previous position distorted spending priorities.
The Lib Dems described the move as "virtue signalling" while Labour questioned the message it sent to investors and companies in the region's renewables sector.
Blackett told the council: "The well-meaning but ultimately false climate emergency is not good for residents.
"So let us take this opportunity to rescind the climate emergency and refocus on energy-efficient and cost-of-living interventions that provide practical help to residents."
'Foolish to deny'
Blackett said he was not a climate change denier, but told the meeting: "Polar bears are not extinct, their numbers are increasing. The Maldives hasn't sunk. In short, there is no climate emergency."
He later added: "Think of Sir David Attenborough, still on TV and every show contains a global warming narrative."
In response, Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Edgeworth called the motion "performative" and "virtue signalling".
"We're sitting here while the country grinds to a halt with national infrastructure completely melting due to record temperatures," he said.
"It's foolish to try and imply or deny that there's a climate emergency."
Labour councillor Fiona Tobin said numerous people in Sunderland worked in renewable and low carbon industries and asked: "What impact does that have on investor confidence?
"What message does that send to employers? What opportunities would Sunderland lose?"
Blackett said: "We have a situation that anybody who goes away [from] the holy edict of man-made climate change is ridiculed."
The motion to repeal the climate emergency declaration was voted for by 48 councillors and against by 15.
At the same meeting, the council voted through a motion to cease its involvement in the nationwide City of Sanctuary scheme.
The programme involves sharing best practice on how to make the UK more welcoming for groups such as asylum seekers.
