Protests as motion on climate is voted down

CAMPAIGNERS HAVE expressed frustration after East Riding councillors voted against declaring a climate emergency.

Protesters gathered outside a meeting at County Hall in Beverley which saw a motion by Yorkshire Party councillor Andy Walker defeated by 44 votes to 16.

Coun Walker had called for the move, saying they were “among the largest emitters and the least improved” as he urged councillors to show leadership.

He said a year had gone by since the issue was last debated and it was “no longer sufficient to say we are dealing with it”.

It comes as work continues on building an oil and gas exploratory wellsite at West Newton. Last year, investors in Rathlin Energy (UK) Ltd said the biggest gas and oil field in nearly 50 years may have been found in the area.

A spokeswoman for monitoring group Gateway to the Gas Fields said: “It is just frustrating. People need to show leadership.

“They are just getting out of being accountable. The council’s pension fund has over £300m invested in fossil fuels – how can they suggest they are green?”

Deputy council leader Mike Stathers claimed the council was “ahead of the game” in terms of carbon reduction, listing projects including a street lighting upgrade which has saved 4,000 tonnes of carbon a year.

He told the meeting: “Some accuse this authority of being complacent, even embarrassed. Let me assure them this is not the case. There is no complacency here.”

Rathlin Energy UK expects the West Newton B wellsite to be completed later this year and it to be tested next year.