City stands by carbon neutral pledge

SHEFFIELD COUNCIL has confirmed it will keep its target to become carbon neutral by 2030, despite the national Labour party’s change to policy, The Yorkshire Post can reveal.

The Labour party nationally passed a motion at its autumn conference to commit to a carbon neutral target of 2030 if they got into power.

But, it has since softened its pledge after unions pushed for significant progress towards the target rather than a firm commitment.

According to an audit by Friends of the Earth it is still the most ambitious commitment to the environment of any political party in the upcoming general election.

Councillor Paul Turpin, Green Party representative for Gleadless Valley ward at the South Yorkshire council, asked council leaders if they would do the same at a recent meeting of the local authority.

In a full council meeting response, Coun Mark Jones addressed the question posed by Coun Turpin and said: “No. 2030 or earlier if possible.

“Just to be clear Labour have outlined the most ambitious ever manifesto to tackle the climate emergency.

“It is revealing that out of all the parties, you have chosen to attack Labour who are clearly more committed than both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats to tackle the climate emergency through the policies and Green Industrial Revolution.”