Izzy Lepone 15 July 2025

Farage: ‘Virtue-signalling’ climate targets must go

Farage: ‘Virtue-signalling’ climate targets must go image
Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform Party. © Sean Aidan Calderbank / Shutterstock.com.

Nigel Farage has ordered Reform UK council leaders to give up on what he calls ‘virtue-signalling’ net zero targets.

Labelling net zero initiatives as costly and ‘massive diversions of time’, the Reform Party leader reportedly said the targets ‘need to be scrapped’.

‘It’s not the job of county councils to deal with global issues, and it wouldn’t make any difference at all if they were scrapped’, he said.

Whilst many local authorities are striving to achieve net zero by 2030, Mr Farage has urged the 10 Reform-controlled councils to renounce their pledges.

The injunction comes despite seven of the 10 Reform-run councils having previous climate emergency policies in place, including Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Kent County Councils.

Last month, the campaign group Climate Emergency UK warned that local government’s net zero agenda was stalling.

To learn more about Reform UK, check out: Reform UK: What Britain’s fastest rising party stands for and Reform UK’s ‘Doge’ witch-hunts will achieve little.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Transport and Major Work Manager

Slough Borough Council
£54,556 to £60,085 per year Inclusive of Local Weighting Allowance of £1096
Drive the future of transport and infrastructure in Slough Slough, Berkshire
Recuriter: Slough Borough Council

Ugobus Driver

Essex County Council
Up to £25959.00 per annum
Ugobus DriverPermanent, Part Time£25,959 per annum full time equivalent Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Neighbourhood Highway Group Manager

Devon County Council
£74,825 per annum
Devon County Council (DCC) is looking for an inspirational individual to lead and direct the Neighbourhood Highway Group. Devon
Recuriter: Devon County Council

Neighbourhood Highway Manager

Devon County Council
£60,234 per annum
The successful applicant will bring clarity of vision, a strong professional commitment to continuous improvement, and the ability to empower others. Devon
Recuriter: Devon County Council

Senior Technical Officer - Community Projects

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£29,540 - £37,280
Do you have an interest in highway safety and have some knowledge of Traffic and Highway Law? Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Linkedin Banner