Tory proposals to discard the UK’s pioneering climate strategies have been denounced as a “complete betrayal” and a perilous move towards “economic catastrophe” by Ed Miliband. The Energy Secretary criticized Kemi Badenoch following her pledge to dismantle the UK’s cutting-edge climate laws in favor of prioritizing “affordable” energy. Badenoch aims to revoke the Climate Change Act, which committed the UK to reducing climate emissions by 80% by 2050, with periodic carbon budgets to ensure progress towards this objective.
Miliband expressed, “This radical policy shift by Kemi Badenoch, if implemented, would have dire economic consequences and would forsake future generations. The Conservatives intend to eliminate a framework that was initially advocated for by businesses and has attracted billions in investments in domestic British energy since its establishment by a Labour Government with Conservative backing seventeen years ago.”
He added, “The Conservative party’s stance against jobs, workers, and young people would jeopardize our energy security and harm our society. This Labour Government is determined to safeguard our nation’s clean energy economy from the Conservatives or Reform party, which is flourishing due to the Government’s emphasis on clean energy advancement.”
The introduction of the Climate Change Act marked a global milestone in climate legislation, inspiring many countries to follow the UK’s lead. Scientists caution that global emissions must be swiftly reduced to zero to avert a temperature increase of over 1.5°C from pre-industrial levels, or else face a surge in natural calamities.
Badenoch previously asserted that achieving the UK’s net zero targets is “unattainable” and vowed to discard them in favor of “maximizing extraction” of oil and gas in the North Sea. This stance aligns with Reform leader Nigel Farage’s commitment to hastening North Sea oil and gas licenses and scrapping net zero targets if the party secures victory in the upcoming election.
Several environmental organizations have condemned this move, branding it as “political suicide” and a “destructive act of economic and environmental devastation.” Greenpeace UK’s head of politics, Ami McCarthy, remarked, “Badenoch’s Conservatives are engaged in a race to the bottom with Reform UK on climate issues, and this represents an accelerated sprint towards that end. However, these culture-war declarations are unlikely to garner support from the majority of the British populace, who demand decisive action to combat climate change-induced floods, droughts, and heatwaves wreaking havoc on lives and livelihoods in the UK.”
Tanya Steele, Chief Executive at WWF, criticized the decision, stating, “This reckless move by Kemi Badenoch would result in higher energy costs for the public, impede the progress of clean British energy, slow down economic growth, and foster reliance on costly fossil fuel imports. It would be a severe setback for nature, household finances, and farmers bearing the brunt of climate change impacts.”
The Conservative announcement follows closely after Miliband’s commitment at the Labour party conference to permanently ban fracking.