Essex climate group to pause work after council withdraws support

It produced a 100-point action plan to make Essex carbon neutral.

Sixty-four of those actions are in progress or in place — the commission says — including new planning and building regulations that will see more energy efficient homes with lower bills built in Essex.

Laura Mansell-Thomas, who works at a building design company, is one of the commissioners.

She said “tough targets for carbon and energy reduction” had delivered “low-carbon and resilient school buildings”.

Roger Morris, who is Bishop of Colchester and is also a commissioner, added: “This is not just bad news for the environment, it is bad news for Essex.”

He warned it “will cost the people of Essex millions of pounds in new investment and jobs”.

Labour district councillor Ivan Henderson, based in Harwich, warned it could undermine plans for a clean, green energy investment in the East of England.

Conservative Lee Scott, opposition leader on Essex County Council, said: “We cannot deny climate change.