The Conservative Environment Network (CEN) has criticised Tory leader Kemi Badenoch’s assertion that achieving net zero emissions by 2050 is not feasible, arguing that her stance undermines the environmental achievements of previous Conservative governments.
As she prepares to launch the party’s “policy renewal” process, Badenoch is expected to state that while she is not debating the existence of climate change, the current net zero target is unattainable without negatively impacting living standards.
Badenoch’s stance on net zero
Speaking ahead of her policy announcement, Badenoch is set to argue that cutting energy costs and protecting the environment are “noble aims” but that current strategies are failing to achieve meaningful progress.
“We’re falling between two stools – too high costs and too little progress. Net zero by 2050 is impossible. I don’t say that with pleasure. Or because I have some ideological desire to dismantle it – in fact, we must do what we can to improve our natural world.
“I say it because anyone who has done any serious analysis knows it can’t be achieved without a serious drop in our living standards or by bankrupting us. And responsible leaders don’t indulge in fictions which are going to make families poorer.”
Her remarks indicate a shift in the Conservative Party’s approach to climate policy, as she seeks to reposition the party’s economic and environmental priorities.
Backlash from Tory environmentalists and green campaigners
CEN’s director, Sam Hall, condemned Badenoch’s remarks, stressing that net zero remains a scientifically necessary and economically viable goal.
“It is a mistake for Kemi Badenoch to have jumped the gun on her own policy review and decided net zero isn’t possible by 2050.
“This undermines the significant environmental legacy of successive Conservative governments who provided the outline of a credible plan for tackling climate change. The important question now is how to build out this plan in a way that supports growth, strengthens security and follows conservative, free-market principles.”
Hall acknowledged Badenoch’s concerns about the economic impact of Labour’s approach but insisted that abandoning the net zero target would harm both economic growth and climate efforts.
“Abandon the science and voters will start to doubt the Conservative Party’s seriousness on the clean energy transition, damaging both growth and the fight against climate change.”
Opposition parties and climate groups respond
Labour quickly condemned Badenoch’s position, with a spokesperson stating:
“Kemi Badenoch claims she’s ready to ‘deal with reality’ while remaining in complete denial about the reality of the Tories’ appalling record in government. The Tory leader’s position is at odds with her own historic views. In government, she openly championed net zero. It’s clear the Conservatives stand for nothing and have learned absolutely no lessons. They haven’t changed.”
Greenpeace UK’s head of climate, Mel Evans, warned against abandoning the UK’s climate commitments:
“Throwing in the towel on our climate goals means giving up on making life better for British people now and in the future. With green industries growing three times faster than the rest of the UK economy, it also means giving up on the economic opportunity of the century.”
The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) also rejected Badenoch’s claims, calling them premature and arguing that the UK is on track to reach net zero if the right policies are implemented.
“Given that we need to reach net zero emissions to stop greenhouse gases increasing and so the ever-worsening floods and heatwaves driven by climate change, any sense of giving up on the goal 25 years before the finish line, particularly when the UK has made good progress, seems premature,” said Alasdair Johnstone of the ECIU.
Mike Childs, head of policy at Friends of the Earth, criticised Badenoch’s claims as baseless:
“The Conservative leader saying she wants to do all she can to protect the natural world is entirely meaningless when it comes in the same breath as claiming net zero by 2050 is impossible, without a shred of evidence.”
More Read
A shift in conservative climate policy?
Badenoch’s remarks signal a potential shift in the Conservative Party’s approach to climate policy, prioritising economic concerns over emissions reduction targets. The party’s policy renewal process will see shadow cabinet members define key policy questions and commission external reports on specific issues.
Badenoch insists that her approach is about realism, not ideology:
“We are going to deal with the reality. Answer the real questions. Confront the real problems. And we start today on energy and net zero.”
However, with growing backlash from both environmentalists and business leaders invested in green growth, the Conservative Party risks alienating key stakeholders as it seeks to reshape its climate strategy.
