UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Former Prime Minister Tony Blair faces backlash for calling net-zero goals unrealistic, drawing sharp criticism from climate experts and Labour MPs.
As reported by The Guardian, experts and political leaders have slammed Tony Blair over his claim that rapid fossil fuel cuts are doomed to fail.
What did Tony Blair say about climate policies?
A report from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change sparked contention within Labour ranks, with some alleging he echoed right-wing arguments that hinder climate progress.
Mr Blair argued that the case for net zero is weakening and urged the government to adopt “practical” climate policies, focused on adaptation and innovation.
He stated that the current climate strategy “isn’t working,” with the debate having become “irrational,” and people
“turning away from the politics of the issue’ due to a belief that the proposed solutions lack strong policy foundations.”
In the foreword of a TBI report, Mr Blair wrote,
“In developed countries, voters feel they’re being asked to make financial sacrifices and changes in lifestyle when they know that their impact on global emissions is minimal.”
What did Lady Brown say about Tony Blair’s climate comments?
Climate experts have continued to accuse Mr Blair of protecting fossil fuel interests and undermining Britain’s efforts to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Lady Brown, from the independent Climate Change Committee, voiced concerns that Blair’s remarks might convey the wrong message at a critical time.
She said,
“My concern is that people might take away a message from that report that we should do adaptation instead of mitigation, and that is absolutely the wrong message.”
Ms Brown stated,
“We need to do adaptation, because even if we get to net zero by mid-century, there’s still a huge amount of climate change to come, and we need to be ready for that. But we can’t adapt to everything.”
She added,
“As people know who live on the coast and suffer coastal erosion and flooding, no, we can’t adapt to everything. It’s absolutely critical that alongside adaptation, we are reducing emissions as well.”
What did Dale Vince say about Tony Blair’s comments on net zero?
Dale Vince, Labour donor and Ecotricity founder slammed Blair’s comments as “nonsense,” adding that he “expected better than this from the TBI.”
He added,
“This from Tony Blair is net zero nonsense. He talks of growing fossil demand from China, when in fact it has peaked. He says we need less focus on renewable energy and more on carbon capture – one is cheap and abundant and prevents carbon emissions, and the other is an incredibly expensive way of trying to deal with emissions. Prevention (green energy) is always better and cheaper than the cure.”
What did Green Party peer Jenny Jones say about Tony Blair’s climate policy views?
Jenny Jones, Green Party peer, labels ex-Labour PM as “completely out of touch” on climate strategy.
She stated,
“UKLabour should ignore him as a past relic. Net Zero is popular with people. Who can argue with warmer homes, better public transport and (potentially) much cheaper energy, when we unlink from gas.”
What did Victoria Atkins say about Tony Blair’s criticism of the net zero policy?
Victoria Atkins, the Conservative environment spokesperson, argued that Tony Blair’s critique delivered a “clear message” to the government, urging it to review its approach to net zero policies.
She said,
“A couple of months ago, Kemi Badenoch gave a big speech about net zero, her concerns about it, how the targets that have been laid are proving impossible to meet. Lo and behold, it seems now Sir Tony Blair agrees with her, and it’s the Labour government that perhaps has lost their way in this argument.”
Ms Atkins added,
“If Tony Blair – even Tony Blair – doesn’t agree with the Labour government, then that is quite a clear message, I would imagine, to them, that they have got to rethink this.”
What did Andrew Bowie say about Tony Blair’s critique of Labour’s net zero plans?
Shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie stated,
“It seems even Tony Blair has come to the realisation that Keir Starmer and the Labour Party’s mad dash to net zero by 2050 is simply not feasible, or sustainable.”
He said,
“As Ed Miliband’s net zero zealotry pushes this country’s energy security even further into the arms of China, and their slave labour supply chains, and risks driving up energy bills further and further, only Kemi Badenoch and the Conservatives are telling the truth about energy policy in this country.”
Mr Bowie added,
“Under new leadership, we have been clear that the cost of net zero by 2050 to families will be far too high, and we must urgently change course. Will Labour now finally be prepared to do the same, and put the national interest above their own ideological dogma?”
Key points in net-zero policy
- Net Zero Target: Achieve by 2050; Scotland aims for 2045.
- Emissions Reduction: 68% reduction by 2030.
- Carbon Budgets: 52% reduction by 2027, 78% by 2037.
- Key Policy Developments: Great British Energy Bill, Crown Estate Bill.
- 2023 Growth Plan: Focus on decarbonising homes, power, industry, and transport.
- 2024 Progress Report: Urgent action is needed; focus on transport, buildings, and land use.