Durham County Council, now led by a Reform majority, has become the first local authority in the UK to scrap its climate emergency declaration—a decision critics are calling "a very dark day" for the region. The move signals a sharp reversal from previous commitments to address climate change at the local level.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about one council backtracking—it’s a symbolic shift in how some local governments are responding to climate action. With Reform’s rise, this could hint at broader political pushback against environmental policies, even at the grassroots level. For residents and activists, it’s a worrying step backward, especially as other councils double down on green initiatives.