People are deeply worried about the decline of nature, increased flooding, and food price rises caused by climate change, and public polling in the UK and around the world consistently show that people want their governments to do more to tackle the climate and nature crises1.
In 2008 the UK led the world with the Climate Change Act, and a Conservative Prime Minister ensured the UK was the first major economy to commit to net zero.
Since then 137 countries around the world have established net zero commitments, with 49 of them in legislation, leading to greater recognition of the climate and nature emergencies and catalysing action to reduce its terrible consequences on our lives, communities, economies, health, and nature.
£83.1 billion in added value to the UK economy
Today the UK’s green economy is thriving, growing by over 10% last year adding £83.1 billion in value to the UK economy, and supporting nearly a million jobs2.
It is not in the interests of the UK public or people around the world for the UK to undo that progress in the context of a global renewables industry worth trillions of dollars.
Repealing the Climate Change Act and disbanding the independent Climate Change Committee would be an act of political vandalism against 17 years of progress and the UK’s thriving green economy, and would create uncertainty that would deter green investment. Today the Confederation of British Industry (CBI)3 have spoken out strongly against this.
Just as the UK Climate Change Act in 2008 set a global precedent, leading to countries around the world legislating their own climate action, so would its repeal unleash a wave of backsliding on climate commitments – reversing action in other countries that we all rely on to be safe and to thrive. People in the UK would feel the impact of this through increased flooding, spiralling food and energy prices, and the decline of nature. There is no upside to a future UK government pulling the trigger on a global race to the bottom that leaves everyone in the UK and around the world worse off.
The science is clear, the public demand for action is clear, and for the last 17 years the political consensus was clear – and the UK must not be dragged backwards from healthy progress.
Greater climate action is the only way to secure better lives, a thriving economy, creation of new green jobs, better health, greater security, and restore nature for this nation of nature-lovers.
From CAN-UK members
Tanya Steele, Chief Executive, WWF-UK, said:
“This reckless decision from Kemi Badenoch would put up people’s energy bills, slam the brakes on clean British energy, slow economic growth and leave us dependent on expensive fossil fuel imports. It would be a devastating blow for nature, for household finances, and farmers on the front line of climate change.”
“The public overwhelmingly supports action on climate change. Badenoch should reconsider.”
Zoë Quiroz-Cullen, Climate & Nature Linkages Director, Fauna & Flora said:
“Climate change is one of the biggest threats to our natural landscapes and we are already seeing the impact on Britain’s biodiversity. The Conservatives declaring that they want to protect nature whilst scrapping climate change measures shows a fundamental and wilful misunderstanding of reality.
“Climate change impact is only going to become more expensive – the cheapest and best options are those available to us right now; reducing emissions, safeguarding nature and planning for a more uncertain future. If we turn our back on these solutions, then our children and grandchildren will suffer the consequences of short-term headline grabbing measures.”
Katherine Nightingale, Global International Affairs Director for Policy & Campaigns, WaterAid said:
“The Tories’ pledge to scrap the Climate Change Act risks drowning global efforts to tackle the water crisis amplified by climate change. Longer droughts, more frequent and intense storms, and growing sea level rises threaten water resources.
“Blindly pressing ahead with this proposal ignores the growing global water and climate crisis already affecting the UK, from floods and water shortages to threats to food security. In 2023, 16% of UK food imports came from climate-vulnerable countries with limited ability to respond.
“This short-sighted policy will lead to bigger costs that will damage the UK economy – including costs of disaster recovery, spread of diseases and rising health burdens.
“Protecting the Climate Change Act isn’t optional; it’s a necessity. No one can adapt to a world without water.”
