UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Conservative peer Alok Sharma says scrapping the Climate Change Act risks UK jobs, investment, and the nation’s global climate influence.
As reported by The Independent, an ex-Cop26 president warned Tory leader Kemi Badenoch’s plan to scrap the UK’s world-leading climate laws could threaten future jobs and investment.
What did Lord Sharma say about scrapping climate laws?
Former business and energy secretary Lord Sharma called on the Conservatives not to ‘squander’ their climate legacy for short-term political gain.
His remarks came after the Conservative Party revealed plans to repeal the Climate Change Act. The Act established a legal framework to cut UK emissions by 80% by 2050, with five-yearly carbon budgets.
During Theresa May’s premiership, the Tories raised the Climate Change Act’s ambition, aiming for net zero emissions by 2050.
Lord Sharma, now chair of the UK’s Transition Finance Council, stated,
“Thanks to the strong and consistent commitment of the previous Conservative government to climate action and net zero, the UK attracted many tens of billions of pounds of private sector investment and accompanying jobs.”
He said,
“This is a story of British innovation, economic growth, skilled jobs and global leadership – not just a matter of environmental stewardship.”
Lord Sharma stated,
“Turning our back on this progress now risks future investment and jobs into our country, as well as our international standing. The path to a prosperous, secure and electable future for the Conservative Party lies in building on our achievements, not abandoning them.”
The former cabinet minister said,
“Voters, especially younger people and those in key marginal seats which we need to retain or win back, expect serious, coherent and forward-looking policies from the Conservative Party. Our legacy is one of global leadership. We should not squander this for the sake of short-term political expediency.”
Claire Coutinho’s stance on the Climate Change Act
Claire Coutinho, shadow energy secretary, defended the Tories’ plan, saying cheap electricity must be a priority.
She claimed the Climate Change Act forces ministers to take actions that could raise costs for Britons.
Ms Coutinho said,
“One of the biggest problems that the country faces is that our electricity prices are too high.”
She stated,
“So, what we’ve said is we have to look at why that’s happening. Some of that is because of the Climate Change Act, which creates this very rigid budget and makes ministers choose these decisions, which are going to make them poorer.”
The shadow secretary said,
“So we need to repeal that and we need to rethink our energy strategy, to put cheap electricity first.”
Recognising the Tories’ role in setting the net zero by 2050 target, she said the party needs to review policies where it believes it went wrong.
She argued that high electricity costs are causing huge harm to families and businesses and also undermining efforts to promote electric vehicles and green home heating.
Kemi Badenoch’s views on repealing the Climate Change Act
Kemi Badenoch has vowed to scrap the Climate Change Act, ending controls on greenhouse gas emissions and key climate policies.
She had already pledged to scrap the UK’s net zero target, but repealing the climate act would go much further.
Scrapping the Act would eliminate the five-year carbon budgets and abolish the Climate Change Committee, which monitors the impact of policies on the UK’s emissions.
She said,
“Under my leadership we will scrap those failed targets. Our priority now is growth, cheaper energy, and protecting the natural landscapes we all love.”
Ms Badenoch said she would scrap the Act in favour of “an energy strategy prioritising affordable and reliable power to drive economic growth.”
What did Ed Miliband say about Kemi Badenoch’s energy plan?
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband stated,
“This desperate policy from Kemi Badenoch, if ever implemented, would be an economic disaster and a total betrayal of future generations. The Conservatives would now scrap a framework that businesses campaigned for in the first place and has ensured tens of billions of pounds of investment in homegrown British energy since it was passed by a Labour government with Conservative support 17 years ago.”
He added,
“The Conservatives’ anti-jobs, anti worker, anti young people lurch would undermine our energy security and damage our society.”
Bob Ward’s stance on fossil fuels and UK growth
Bob Ward, policy director at the Grantham Research Institute at the London School of Economics, stated,
“The claim that keeping Britain dependent on fossil fuels is good for economic growth is demonstrably false. Our dependence on fossil fuels causes high prices for electricity and heating for businesses and households. We are experiencing growing costs from the impacts of climate change, including sea level rise and more intense and frequent extreme weather events.”
He added,
“The only pro-growth strategy is to invest in domestic clean energy. It is clear that the Conservatives cannot now be trusted on the environment or the economy.”
Michael Grubb’s views on scrapping the Climate Change Act
Michael Grubb, professor of energy at University College London, said,
“The striking fact is how few UK businesses support scrapping the Climate Change Act. The reason is simple. 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.”
He added,
“Scrapping a far-sighted act, that was passed with huge bipartisan consensus, opposes all those realities.”
What did James Alexander say about the Climate Change Act?
James Alexander, head of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association, which represents £19 trillion in financial assets, stated,
“The green economy is the second-fastest growing sector globally [behind only the technology sector]. We cannot afford to dismantle this landmark law. The Climate Change Act mandate gives investors the confidence to back the UK’s green economy. Conservative calls to rip up this signature legislation sends damaging signals to markets, jeopardising jobs, growth and our long-term energy security.”
How does the UK’s climate policy compare to global emissions trends?
The Climate Change Act was introduced as a world-first. It has since been followed by other countries and inspired the Paris Agreement a decade ago.
Experts said global emissions must reach net zero quickly to prevent temperatures from rising above 1.5 °C. Failing to do so would trigger severe storms, floods, heatwaves, droughts, and damage to ecosystems.