Tory’s Move to Overhaul UK’s Leading Climate Plans Sparks Concerns of Economic Risk
Ed Miliband has criticized Tory’s intentions to dismantle the UK’s acclaimed climate policies as a “complete betrayal” and a potential trigger for “economic catastrophe.”
The Energy Secretary, Kemi Badenoch, faced criticism from Mr. Miliband after expressing plans to revoke the UK’s pioneering climate legislation to prioritize “affordable” energy solutions. Badenoch aims to eliminate the Climate Change Act, which initially committed the UK to reducing climate emissions by 80% by 2050, with periodic carbon budgets to ensure progress towards the target.
Miliband remarked, “If implemented, this drastic policy shift by Kemi Badenoch would spell economic disaster and a betrayal of future generations. The Conservatives are considering scrapping a framework that was originally advocated for by businesses and has attracted significant investment in domestic British energy since its enactment by a Labour Government with Conservative backing seventeen years ago.”
He added, “The Conservative’s proposed shift, which is anti-employment, anti-worker, and anti-youth, threatens our energy security and societal well-being. This Labour Government remains committed to safeguarding the country’s clean energy economy, which has flourished due to the government’s clean energy empowerment agenda.”
The introduction of the Climate Change Act was a groundbreaking moment in global climate legislation, inspiring many countries to follow the UK’s lead.
Scientists caution that global emissions need to be rapidly reduced to zero to prevent a temperature increase of more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels to avert a surge in natural disasters.
Kemi Badenoch has previously argued that meeting the UK’s net-zero targets is unattainable and has pledged to discard them while advocating for increased oil and gas extraction in the North Sea. This stance aligns with Reform leader Nigel Farage’s promise to expedite North Sea oil and gas licensing and abolish net-zero targets if the party secures victory in the next election.
The proposed move has elicited condemnation from various environmental organizations, branding it as “political suicide” and a “massive act of economic and environmental destruction.”
Ami McCarthy, Greenpeace UK’s head of politics, criticized the Conservative’s stance, stating, “Badenoch’s Conservatives are engaged in a race to the bottom with Reform UK on climate issues, and this represents an acceleration of that trend. However, such culture-based announcements are unlikely to garner support from the majority of the British public, who are seeking concrete measures to combat climate change-induced calamities.”
Tanya Steele, Chief Executive at WWF, warned, “This reckless decision by Kemi Badenoch would escalate energy costs for consumers, impede the progress of clean British energy, slow down economic growth, and increase reliance on costly fossil fuel imports. It would inflict severe damage on nature, household finances, and farmers at the forefront of climate change impacts.”
The Conservative announcement coincided with Ed Miliband’s commitment at the Labour party conference to permanently prohibit fracking.
The move has also drawn criticism from Friends of the Earth chief executive Asad Rehman, who described it as “political suicide” for a mainstream party to disregard scientific evidence in a quest to align with interests opposing climate action for financial gain.