Essex County Council have withdrawn the backing of green initiatives after Reform UK vowed to ditch net zero policies when it took over in May, reports the BBC.
The council say it could save the taxpayer almost £3 million.
Cutbacks include no longer electrifying its vehicle fleet, removing a requirement to consider the climate in new contracts, not applying for net-zero grants and no longer producing an annual climate report.
The council will also reduce activities with schools that encourage active travel by using external funding that is yet to be secured.
As part of the changes, the council will also make redundancies which they say will allow savings of £2.3 million in wages. It has not stated how much it will have to pay in severance packages.
Reform say that the savings will be delivered over the next four years by no longer committing to being a net-zero organisation by 2030.
Policies that are related to flood management and nature will remain in place.
Copyright © 2026 Energy Live News LtdELN