The Reform politicians running Lincolnshire are sceptical about man-made climate change – despite an expert saying “the evidence is unwavering”.
The party has increasingly questioned whether the world really is warming, and if so whether humans’ use of fossil fuels is the cause, writes Local Democracy Reporter Jamie Waller.
A climate expert at the University of Lincoln says the rhetoric comes from “political ideology” to attack the government and isn’t based on science.
Other Lincolnshire councils have also said that global warming shouldn’t be used as a political tool.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has asked Reform’s top figures about their views, or looked at recent statements if they didn’t reply.
Coun Sean Matthews, the Reform leader of Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The influence of man on the climate is so minimal, and the rush to net zero is costing us so much money — it will make absolutely no difference.”
Boston & Skegness MP Richard Tice suggested that the rising temperatures were natural.
“Of course climate change has happened for millions of years and always will. Anyone who thinks they can stop the power of the sun or volcanoes is a naive arrogant fool,” he said.
Dame Andrea Jenkyns, who was approached for this story, recently told Times Radio: “Do I believe that climate change exists? No.”
She went on to say: “I’ve said for a long time, we need to ditch net zero and actually focus on economic growth.”
Coun Danny Brookes, the executive member for environment on Lincolnshire County Council, declined to say whether the change was caused by carbon emissions.
“I believe the climate is changing, whether it’s man-made or a natural thing is irrelevant. The climate is changing and we need to make sure we are taking action,” he said.
Countries around the world are trying to reduce how much greenhouse gas is released in order to slow the planet’s warming.
Each of the last five decades has been hotter than the previous one, with 2024 being the hottest year on record.
Dr Andrew Kythreotis, a senior honorary Fellow in the school of social and political science at the University of Lincoln, says “there is no doubt at all that climate change is happening.
“Reform is saying that it isn’t to suit their political ideology. The science hasn’t changed – it’s clearly saying it’s going to get worse.
“There is natural geological climate change, but we can separate it out from the man-made warming which we can see is causing unprecedented warming.
“Certain politicians are using it to win votes, and using it to attack Labour while in opposition. It’s not based on scientific evidence – that’s unwavering.
“For the average person on the street who doesn’t know the science, it can be confusing when Reform says this.
“Some sceptic politicians like our mayor talk about adapting to climate change rather than mitigating it, but this is very expensive and only gets more costly as the changes get worse.”
