Kemi Badenoch has pledged to repeal the Climate Change Act if the Conservatives win the next election, dismantling the cornerstone of UK green policy and ending a decades-long cross-party consensus on climate action. The Tory leader, who already committed to scrapping the net zero target, said the Act would be replaced with an energy strategy prioritising cheap and reliable energy for economic growth.
The 2008 Act, passed with near-unanimous Conservative support under David Cameron, requires the UK to meet legally binding carbon budgets and is advised by the Climate Change Committee. Scrapping it would remove these obligations and disband the watchdog. Badenoch stated: 'Under my leadership we will scrap those failed targets. Our priority now is growth, cheaper energy, and protecting the natural landscapes we all love.'
Critics argue that reliance on fossil fuels caused energy price spikes after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, costing the UK £140bn and forcing £40bn in public subsidies. Bob Ward of the Grantham Research Institute said: 'The claim that keeping Britain dependent on fossil fuels is good for economic growth is demonstrably false.' Michael Grubb of University College London noted that few businesses support repeal, as they value certainty in a low-carbon future.
The UK has halved emissions since 1990, leading globally in carbon reduction. James Alexander of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association warned: 'The green economy is the second-fastest growing sector globally. Conservative calls to rip up this legislation send damaging signals to markets.' Energy Secretary Ed Miliband called the move 'desperate' as polls show most Britons favour climate action.
