“So I’ll have no truck with anyone saying we lack ambition. But there’s nothing ambitious about merely asserting a goal for a short-term headline without being honest with the public about the tough choices and sacrifices involved.”
“Can we be brave in the decisions we make, even if there is a political cost? Can we be honest when the facts change, even if it’s awkward?”
Shifting heating and transport to electric devices only disguises emissions unless they are powered by a clean grid – and even if not, the extra demand on the system will require vast amounts of new cables and pylons.
While large majorities of voters remain instinctively on side with tackling climate change, once you ask them to reflect on the personal financial costs, they simply become much less supportive and more open to alternative political appeals.
When challenged, the Mayor resorts the tactics of an authoritarian bully, publicly accusing his opponents of being in coalition with the “far-right” as his office chides scientists who publish unhelpful facts.
In the 2019 election, all four major party manifestos presented Net Zero as a fait accompli: none made clear the upheaval it demands, the opportunity costs involved or the dramatic impact on our quality of life.
We face a situation where getting each project over the line is iteratively harder and no sooner is a project approved by the Secretary of State but a series of judicial reviews land from community groups.
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.
The Opposition may be ahead in the polls, but on issue after issue the left finds itself on the back foot. But will the Government have the boldness to capitalise on this moment?
The first ever Scottish Green MSP says he will resist any “attempt to needlessly destroy the United Kingdom”. But where is the option for green voters who feel the same?
The Government needs to be investing both in the next generation of nuclear power stations and developing the storage technologies needed to make renewables reliable.
A fairer deal for those who have to tolerate new power lines and pylons is the best way to reach Net Zero and secure Britain’s energy supply.
As the impacts of climate change and nature loss become ever more visible, the Government can’t afford to rest on its laurels.
Being a global hub for data centres is brings huge benefits to Ireland – but demand for power is growing much faster than the supply of clean energy.
Time will tell, but my impression is the way the announcement was made – and, crucially, reported – means it’ll have a marginally negative impact overall.