Our thinking

Promising the Earth

14 June, 2024

It’s been a frenzied time in UK politics as parties and candidates prepare for a general election few expected quite so soon. Among the open letters, canvassing efforts and televised mud-slinging, parties have this week published their manifestoes. 

There’s plenty to digest. Greenpeace has provided a useful primer for questions to ask to see if a politician is serious about climate and nature, ranging from “will you make my home more energy efficient?” to “will you rewild our countryside?”, while Carbon Brief has a handy tool that allows you to compare the commitments from the main parties on a range of energy and climate issues. 

While all parties apart from Reform remain committed to net zero, some distinctions are emerging. After distancing themselves from “ideological eco-zealotry”, the Conservatives’ manifesto shows a watering down of climate policies in the name of saving costs for households, despite mounting evidence that a faster transition is a cheaper one. Labour has committed to make Britain a “clean energy superpower” but having U-turned on a £28B green investment pledge, has a tough road ahead to make this a reality. All remaining bases are covered as you would expect, with the Green Party putting a strong climate and nature focus across all policy areas, while Reform UK has its head firmly in the volcanic sand regarding the climate crisis. 

There has been a disappointing lack of focus on climate and environment in the build-up to the election, particularly given their relevance to other crucial issues like jobs, investment and industry. As ever, the short term crowds out the long term when it comes to political promises. The manifestoes often raise more questions than they answer given the lack of detail, so we won’t hold our breath on what we can expect over the next five years. But it’s clear that we’re going to having to use our voices as individuals, businesses and civil society to put pressure on politicians to deliver the support that our environment – and ultimately we – need. 

By Patrick Bapty