Theresa May Leads Condemnation of Conservative Plan to Repeal Landmark Climate Change Act
A sweeping proposal to dismantle the UK’s cornerstone climate legislation has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with former Prime Minister Theresa May leading a chorus of condemnation against Conservative leadership. The plan, unveiled by Kemi Badenoch, would repeal the 2008 Climate Change Act, a move critics are calling a “catastrophic mistake” that threatens decades of progress on environmental policy and economic stability.
May publicly denounced the proposal, characterizing it as a “retrograde” step that would unravel 17 years of cross-party consensus and disregard established scientific evidence. “To row back now would be a catastrophic mistake,” she stated, emphasizing the responsibility to future generations and the need to provide businesses with the certainty required to address climate challenges.
The proposed repeal centers on eliminating the requirement for governments to set legally binding “carbon budgets” – five-year targets outlining reductions in greenhouse gas emissions up to 2050. This legislation,initially passed under Labour with significant Conservative support,established the UK as a global leader in climate action. Only five MPs voted against its passage in 2008.
The move has sparked concern within Conservative circles, with some fearing a strategic shift towards the Reform party, whose leaders openly question climate science. Badenoch’s positioning on energy and net zero policies has fueled these anxieties.
Economic Repercussions and Investor Confidence
The potential economic fallout of repealing the climate Change Act is a central concern for business leaders and former ministers. Alok Sharma, who presided over the Cop26 UN climate summit in Glasgow in 2021, warned that abandoning climate commitments risks deterring investment and damaging the UK’s international standing. “Thanks to the strong and consistent commitment of the previous Conservative government to climate action and net zero,the UK attracted many tens of billions of pounds of private sector investment and accompanying jobs,” Sharma stated. He argued that continued progress is essential for a “prosperous, secure, and electable future” for the conservative party.
Lord Deben, a former environment secretary under margaret Thatcher and John Major, echoed this sentiment, asserting that Thatcher herself would not have supported such a move. “If you want de-industrialisation of Britain, then [repealing the Climate Change Act] is the right way to go about it,” he saeid.
Rain Newton-Smith, chief executive of the CBI, the UK’s largest business association, emphasized that the legislation has been a catalyst for economic growth. “The Climate Act has been the bedrock for investment flowing into the UK and shows that decarbonisation and economic growth are not a zero-sum game,” she explained. Businesses involved in the energy transition contributed £83 billion to the UK economy last year alone, supporting nearly one million jobs.
Furthermore, repealing the Act could jeopardize British exports due to the European union’s carbon border adjustment mechanism, which imposes levies on imports from countries with insufficient carbon pricing. This could add significant costs to UK industrial exports to its largest trading partner. “
Broad Opposition from Civil Society and Religious Leaders
The backlash extends beyond the political and economic spheres. Both the Church of England and the Catholic Church have voiced strong opposition to the proposed repeal. Graham Usher, the Bishop of Norwich and lead for environmental affairs for the Church of England, stated that the Climate Change Act “reflects the best of who we are as a country: a nation that cares for creation, protects the vulnerable and builds hope for future generations.”
Bishop John Arnold, the Catholic lead for the environment, referenced a recent speech by Pope Leo XIV criticizing climate skeptics, urging unity and action to address the climate crisis. “More than ever, we need to work together, to think of future generations and take urgent action if we are to truly respond to the scale of this climate crisis,” he said.
The widespread condemnation underscores the deep-seated concern that dismantling the Climate Change Act would represent a significant step backward in the UK’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable economic advancement. The debate highlights a growing rift within the Conservative party and raises essential questions about the future of climate policy in the UK.
