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.
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.
William Gladstone once complained that the Liberals were washed from office by a “torrent of gin and beer”. Tory MPs fear they face a similar – if smellier – fate if the Government doesn’t get tough on the water companies.
We have introduced a legal target requiring tree canopy cover to reach 16.5 per cent of England’s land area by 2050. We are taking action for our woodlands through the landmark Environmental Improvement Plan.
The notion that businesses should focus less on profit for shareholders and more on social issues has been tested to its limits.
Backing traditional industries is very far from the electoral liability that strategists fear.
Regional control over adult education is already helping to deliver significant results in skills.
Between March and September last year, 70 low-traffic neighbourhoods were implemented.
We are planting trees to tackle the twin threats of biodiversity loss and climate changes. At our current trajectory, I worry that in another three decades, we will not have planted enough trees to stave off these great environmental challenges.