Suffolk’s Reform-UK-led county council has been warned that wildfires ravaging Dunwich Heath are a “timely reminder” of the climate crisis after the administration moved to revoke the area’s climate emergency declaration.
Firefighters have spent three days battling a wildfire across the Dunwich Heath nature reserve in Suffolk, one of the UK’s most important coastal heathland landscapes. Wildlife experts have estimated it could take “more than a decade” to recover the “decimated” heathland known for its biodiversity.
Councillors from across the area have spoken out in opposition to a motion made just two weeks ago by the Reform UK-led Suffolk County Council, which will see references to a Climate Emergency removed from council policies, strategies and communications “where appropriate”.
The administration also vowed to “undertake a comprehensive review of climate, net zero and environmental programmes, projects, partnerships and expenditure across the council report the findings of that review to Cabinet, including recommendations for the continuation, modification or cessation of individual schemes”.
The climate emergency declaration had originally been brought into place in 2019 by the Conservative-led council.
The motion went through as Reform UK have held a majority of 41 out of 70 seats in the council, but not without opposition.
Martin Cook, leader of SCC Labour Group told The Independent: “We were vehemently against that, said so at the council meeting where this was decided and voted against it.”
“I think that the wildfires do certainly serve as a timely reminder, if any is needed, that we need to take action on climate with urgency, if we are going to maintain a liveable climate on this planet.”
As the motion went through on 16 July, a protest took place outside with Green and Labour councillors from across the districts opposing the movement. Just days prior, West Suffolk Council reaffirmed its commitment to climate change stewardship.
Labour district councillor Janne Jarvis said: “None of us could foresee the extraordinary coincidence that they’d abrogate a climate emergency declaration at precisely the time when we are experiencing one in real terms, and in our county.
“It simply highlights the absurdity of the decision to roll back that declaration,” he said. “They talk about alarmism. Well, they are creating alarm here, genuine alarm.
“I think their abrogation of their emergency declaration may come to be remembered as one of the most grotesquely misjudged and reckless acts in the history of our county.”
The motion received amendments from the opposition, Conservative shadow spokesperson for public health and environment Harry Richardson told The Independent, after the party first read the “very blunt” wording of the Reform administration’s motion.
“We weren’t able to support it in [that] form,” he said. “What we instead decided to do is propose amendments to that motion.
“It made really clear that the climate change is real, that it is a serious threat, and sort of lists all the ways that it is impacting on on a variety of different factors we also then reiterate in this amended motion, that there will still be work to to be done regardless of whether or not it’s called a climate emergency.”
Climate scientists at the Met Office warned last year warned that climate change would make wildfires more frequent and severe.
Asked whether the wildfire had changed the council’s stance on the climate emergency declaration, the administration told The Independent their position remained unchanged.
Cllr Morgan Brobyn, SCC’s cabinet member for food, waste and rural affairs, said: “Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by the devastating fire at Dunwich Heath, and with the firefighters, volunteers and local communities who have worked tirelessly in response to this incident.
“The wildfire does not change the council’s position. The decision taken by councillors was not about whether climate and environmental issues matter. They do. It was about ensuring our focus is on practical action and real outcomes rather than symbolic declarations.
“Declaring a climate emergency does not stop a wildfire from starting, slow its spread or help extinguish it once it takes hold. While others focus on declarations, our focus is on practical action, building resilience, supporting emergency services and helping communities respond to challenges.
“Right now, our priority is supporting the ongoing response and recovery effort and recognising the extraordinary work of those on the frontline.”
