Industry stakeholders have rejected claims by Kemi Badenoch (pictured) that the UK target to achieve net zero by 2050 is “impossible”.
Launching the Conservative Party’s Policy Renewal Programme, the Leader of the Opposition said: “Net zero by 2050 is impossible.
“I don’t say that with pleasure. I want a better future and a better environment for our children. But we have to get real.
“Anyone who has done any serious analysis knows it cannot be achieved without a significant drop in our living standards or worse, by bankrupting us.”
However, Trevor Hutchings, chief executive of the Renewable Energy Association (REA) pointed out that the UK public overwhelmingly supports strong climate action, with 70% believing we should be a world leader in tackling climate change.
He added: “Net zero isn’t just an environmental necessity, it’s an economic opportunity and a national security priority. The Conservative-commissioned Net Zero Review made it clear: the transition represents one of the biggest growth opportunities of the 21st century.
“Opposing net zero policies will only drive up consumer energy bills, as highlighted by the Climate Change Committee, leaving households exposed to volatile fossil fuel prices. The recent energy price hikes were driven by fossil gas. Renewables offer the best route to affordable, secure energy.
“Yes, investment is needed, just 0.2% of GDP, according to the CCC, but the returns are immense.
“Countries like China are already reaping the benefits of net zero industries.
“The UK cannot afford to fall behind. Our political leaders, across all parties, must press the Government to go further and faster, ensuring the UK leads in the global green economy rather than playing catch-up.”
RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive Jane Cooper said that the Conservatives would be wrong to row back on their commitment to net zero, “as this would mean turning their backs on one of our greatest opportunities to maximise economic growth this century”.
She added: “The real cause of the recent energy crisis is the eyewatering cost of gas on international markets which we have no control over.
“That’s why it’s vital to strengthen the UK’s energy security by building new renewable energy projects as fast as possible, to get closer towards energy independence and drive down bills permanently by ending the stranglehold of fossil fuels on hard-pressed billpayers.”
Will Walker, UK policy lead at climate solutions charity Ashden, added: “Kemi Badenoch’s announcement that the Conservatives will abandon the 2050 net zero target – a target introduced by Theresa May and supported across party lines – is a reckless step backwards that flies in the face of public sentiment, economic sense, and Conservative values.
“Polls consistently show broad public backing for net zero. Moreover, this decision will only shorten the fuse on the Conservative party’s ticking time bomb: a loss of support among young people.
“A large majority of young people in the UK report anxiety about their future in the face of climate change as we see day in day out through our Let’s Go Zero work in schools.
“The latest CBI research shows the green economy is growing three times faster than the rest of the economy, and the Climate Change Committee’s latest analysis confirms that net zero is far from ‘impossible’ as Badenoch claims.
“Indeed, their analysis shows the investment required to reach net zero is far lower than previously thought and typical household bills will be cut by £700.
“The price of delay will be steep: higher energy bills, food price volatility, flood damage, and continued dependence on unstable international energy markets. Delay is a false economy, and it is clear the motivation here is to woo Reform voters.”