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Walsall Council rescinds 2019 climate emergency declaration

8/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

Walsall Council voted on July 27 to rescind its 2019 climate-emergency declaration.
Reform leaders, who hold the council majority, called the pledge ‘virtue signalling’ and drove the vote.
Green Party coordinator Joe Belcher called the reversal dangerous and warned Europe of record-breaking 2026 mega-fires.
Councillor Elaine Williams said the council will focus on energy efficiency, green-space protection and community resilience instead of a climate-emergency declaration.

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Story summary

Walsall Council voted on July 27 to rescind its 2019 climate-emergency declaration.
Reform leaders, who hold the council majority, called the pledge ‘virtue signalling’ and drove the vote.
Green Party coordinator Joe Belcher called the reversal dangerous and warned Europe of record-breaking 2026 mega-fires.
Councillor Elaine Williams said the council will focus on energy efficiency, green-space protection and community resilience instead of a climate-emergency declaration.