UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to warn MPs that rejecting net-zero policies is a betrayal of future generations as the UK faces mounting climate threats.
Ed Miliband will confront MPs who dismiss net-zero policies, accusing them of betraying future generations. His address to Parliament will mark a first-of-its-kind statement on the climate crisis, which he calls “radical truth-telling.”
Reform UK plans to scrap net-zero commitments and cast doubt on climate science, while the Tories have dropped key environmental goals. In response, Ed Miliband plans to issue a firm call to MPs to act before it’s too late.
What did Ed Miliband say about climate truth-telling?
The Net Zero Secretary plans an annual Commons speech on the climate crisis. His address will highlight new Met Office-led data showing Britain is already suffering from extreme weather.
He said,
“I feel a deep sense of responsibility to the British people to tell them the truth about what we know about the climate and nature crisis. I want this to become an annual statement where it’s an exercise in radical truth-telling about the state of the climate and nature.”
Mr Miliband stated,
“I think only by levelling with people about what we know can we win people’s trust about the need for action.”
The Energy Secretary said his statement would be a chance to challenge those undermining climate action.
He added,
“When I talk about this on Monday, all parties are going to have to decide how they respond. And those who respond by saying: ‘There’s nothing to worry about, we don’t need to do anything’ – frankly it is the worst sort of betrayal of today’s and future generations. They need to be called out, and we are going to call them out. We are not going to let the shared commitment that we need to tackle this crisis disappear by default.”
Critics and some media outlets often brand Mr Miliband as an extreme environmentalist whose plans would raise energy bills. But he argued this narrative is misleading, citing data showing public support for current climate targets.
He said,
“My position is the position of the vast majority of the British people. The extremists, the ideologues, are those who would deny the problem or deny the need to act on the problem.”
Mr Miliband stated,
“I think history will judge those people very, very harshly because people will look back at this moment and they will say, you knew you were in this unique generational position, which is you knew enough about the gravity of the problem on the one hand, but on the other hand, it wasn’t too late to do something about it. People will ask who stood up and said yes, we must act, and who tried to deny the problem.”
He said on Monday that failing to act on climate change could threaten the UK’s current way of life. He offered hope too, highlighting international momentum on net zero and Britain’s role in clean technology.
Mr Miliband is expected to criticise those who accept climate change is real but argue that adaptation alone is enough.
He backed resilience strategies but warned they are not enough to tackle the crisis, adding,
“a complete betrayal, because then you’re essentially running up the down escalator. The problem will get worse and worse. We keep trying to adapt. It will keep costing us more, and we won’t be able to keep up.”
Mr Miliband’s climate agenda has seen some rollbacks, with Labour slashing its flagship £28bn green plan before the election. Just last week, he scrapped a “zonal pricing” plan that had drawn criticism for targeting southern consumers more than those in Scotland.
Met Office’s report on the UK climate risks
A new Met Office-led report warns that heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense across Britain.
It also highlights prolonged, flood-causing rainfall as further proof that the country is already experiencing the effects of climate change.
Key facts about net-zero goals
- The UK has cut emissions by 50.4% since 1990. A 2.5% drop in 2024 came from closing coal plants and using more renewables.
- 89% know about Net Zero 2050, but only 52% understand it well. Highest awareness is among degree holders.
- Net zero added £83.1bn in 2024 and supports 951,000 jobs. Every £1 made adds £1.89 to the wider economy.
- Only 61% of the needed cuts by 2030 have solid plans. Heat pumps and industry are major weak points.