Groups slam UK Conservative leader’s pledge to repeal Climate Change Act

Groups including the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), RenewableUK and the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) have criticised Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch’s announcement that she would scrap the UK‘s Climate Change Act if the Tories win the next general election.

Earlier this week, Badenoch said that were the Conservatives to triumph in the next election, the Climate Change Act, which was passed in 2008, and expanded under Theresa May’s government in 2019, would be replaced with a strategy for “cheap and reliable” energy, adding that the Act has “done nothing to cut global emissions.”

‘Bedrock for investment’

Responding to her comments, the CBI described the Act as being essential for business growth.

“The Climate Act has been the bedrock for investment flowing into the UK and shows that decarbonisation and economic growth are not a zero-sum game,” the group said. “Businesses delivering the energy transition added £83 billion to the economy last year alone, providing high-paying jobs to almost a million people across the UK.”

Peter Chalkey, director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), noted that while US president Trump has rolled back on climate commitments, “the rest of the world is clearly moving in one direction with renewables investment booming, EV sales up and the clear risk of being left behind.

“Being a net zero sceptic essentially means you don’t believe in solving climate change. The science is clear that reaching net zero emissions is the only way to bring balance back into our climate, stop climate change and prevent the many harms that the UK, its people and the wider world faces from getting ever worse.”

‘Builds confidence’

RenewableUK’s deputy chief executive Jane Cooper added that investors would be “disappointed to lose a framework which undoubtedly builds confidence” about the UK’s commitment to the clean energy transition.

“It should be seen as an engine for growth, with wind energy alone now employing 55,000 people and a growing supply chain of around 2,000 companies across the UK,” she said.

“We’re confident that having honest and open debate about electricity costs would lead any Government of any party to roll out new homegrown energy projects, including renewables which are cost-competitive with any other power source, as well as playing a vital role in strengthening the UK’s energy security.”

Elsewhere, Michael Grubb, professor of energy and climate change, UCL Institute of Sustainable Resources, noted that it was “striking” how few major UK businesses supported scrapping the Act, in spite of Badenoch’s claims.

“The reason is simple,” he said. “Business knows that climate change is a real and pressing problem; that the future lies in low carbon energy and related innovation; and business values clarity and certainty within a firm legal framework.

“Scrapping a far-sighted Act, that was passed with huge bipartisan consensus, opposes all those realities.”

A myriad of professors have also weighed in on the Conservatives’ plans, with their comments available here. Read more here, here and here.