UK's 'world-leading' climate law in crisis as emissions targets at risk

A new report marking the 16th anniversary of the UK's pioneering Climate Change Act has warned that despite its "transformative" influence on battling climate change, current progress is at risk.

Friends of the Earth have highlighted concerns that the political unity on climate policies is loosening while business leaders argue that such initiatives promote economic growth. The campaign group notes "climate delays and U-turns" by the previous Government and says the country is not on course to fulfill emission reduction targets for the 2030s or to meet the international commitment to cut emissions causing rising temperatures by 68% come 2030.

Though the Labour Government has been a self-styled climate champion, Friends of the Earth claims that actions since the General Election have fallen short of delivering on prioritised recommendations by the independent Climate Change Committee. With legal challenges deeming past Governmental climate action plans unlawful, and a demand for a new strategy by May 2025, the organisation is beckoning ministers to craft a just and effective plan for climate battle, urging for funding from local to global levels, access to clean and affordable energy, reliable and budget-friendly public transportation, and the development of good green jobs, especially in sectors and regions facing the disadvantage of being overlooked.

Following a campaign spearheaded by Friends of the Earth, the Climate Change Act was enacted in November 2008 with almost unanimous cross-party political support. This law mandated an 80% reduction in UK emissions by 2050, a target that has since been revised to 100%, or net zero.

The report from Friends of the Earth reveals that emissions have dropped by 41% in the 15 years since the Act was passed, compared to a mere 16% in the 15 years prior. However, progress stagnated under Rishi Sunak's government, and new Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has expressed doubts about achieving net zero, the report says.

It also warns that the new Labour Government has only fully implemented one of the 10 priority recommendations for this year, specifically on renewable power auctions, and partially implemented four others, such as removing planning obstacles for heat pumps and wind, and reversing policy rollbacks. This is despite business leaders asserting that climate targets provide investment certainty and stimulate growth and innovation.

Lord Deben, former chairman of the Climate Change Committee, said that the Climate Change Act has compelled ministers to pay greater attention to this "existential issue", but criticised the "substandard" plans produced by the previous government. He added: "The plan which this new Government must produce has to show clearly how we reach net zero by 2050 and put us back on track to meeting legally binding commitments."