In the Netherlands, Germany, and elsewhere, voters are showing that their rhetorical commitment to a ‘green transition’ is not matched by their willigness to pay.
The Shadow Climate Change Secretary has not been forgiven by some in the Labour Party for his conduct as its leader.
These projects are vital to the national and local economy but delivering the infrastructure is proving to be disruptive.
We’ve seen the way that the Conservative Government committing to Net Zero by 2050 has turbocharged research, innovation, and transition away from fossil fuels and towards green technologies. Committing to phase out diesel from London by 2030 would have exactly the same impact.
An emphatic 66 per cent are opposed to LDNs – and a socking great 83 per cent to the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030.
They are the leading form of a whole class of new small electric vehicles that are disrupting, and greatly improving, our hugely inefficient transport industry.
At a local level, Conservative councils nationwide have been pioneering Net Zero initiatives, demonstrating that taking steps to tackle climate change is not only possible, it’s happening right now.
The twenty-sixth article in a new series on ConHome about how government might be made smaller, taxpayers better off and and society stronger – through strong families, better schools and good jobs.
The fact remains that the broad thrust of climate policy enjoys strong support from voters. YouGov polling shows that ULEZ is a rare example of an unpopular environmental measure.
To date, the Parliamentary Party has been divided between a small number of committed critics, a larger one of enthuasiasts, and a larger one looking to see which side triumphs.
Government can use research grants, low business taxes and pro-innovation policies to resolve the difficulties. It makes little sense to plough on with taxes and bans.
Conservative councils most committed to ambitious climate and clean air action often bucked the trend.
As the impacts of climate change and nature loss become ever more visible, the Government can’t afford to rest on its laurels.
There is now a £56 billion investment programme to curb sewage, with discharges into bathing waters cut by 70 per cent by 2035.
There’s undoubtedly a lot to do before 2030 and beyond. But our target drives the investment and innovation needed to deliver the electric vehicle transformation, lower people’s bills, create jobs, and tackle climate change.