A row has broken out at a Norfolk council after a Reform member called on it to rethink its net zero strategy.
Julian Kirk, who defected from the Conservatives last year, criticised West Norfolk Council for the policy, which aims to reduce the authority's carbon footprint.
He raised the subject at a recent council meeting, saying the strategy was costing taxpayers too much.
He said: "Isn't it time that this council rethought its stance on the nonsense of net zero?
"It's caused an expense to all our residents, whether it be buying electric cars or the price of electricity, gas, it's all down to net zero nonsense. It is costing a fortune."
But Michael De Whalley, a Green Party councillor and cabinet member for climate change, didn't mince his words when responding to Mr Kirk's question.
"Can you imagine the disaster that will befall our society if we go back on this. There are papers out there that say a three-degree increase in sea warming will result in civilisation starting to break down.
"What a thoroughly irresponsible and ignorant statement you have made, sir."
The debate followed a discussion on plans to replace council vehicles with electric ones, which sparked concerns about costs.
There is currently a global push to achieve net zero - a state in which the greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere are balanced by removal out of the atmosphere.
Transitioning to a net-zero world is one of the greatest challenges humankind has faced, the United Nations has said.
Failing to tackle carbon pollution will accelerate extreme weather events and lead to rising sea levels, food insecurity and pose health risks due to the warming planet.
However, net-zero policies have faced criticism due to the costs involved in transitioning away from fossil fuels.
