With the election literally days away on Thursday, July 4, there is no shortage of talking points, with green policies one of the most important factors in how people will vote.
In this post, we take an impartial look at the manifestos of the leading parties, examining what they are proposing in terms of environmental policies, and what this could mean for sustainability, Net Zero and the green economy.
Conservative Party
The Conservative Party emphasises a balance between economic growth and environmental protection, continuing the processes that helped the UK cut its emissions faster than any other G20 country.
Key proposals include:
Net Zero by 2050: They’ve pledged to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with a focus on trebling offshore wind capacity and hydrogen production, plus more carbon capture hubs across the country.
Green Jobs and Investment: Pledging significant investment in green technologies and industries, aiming to create thousands of new jobs.
Biodiversity: They’ve set out plans to protect 30% of the UK’s land by 2030, alongside plans for new National Parks and increased funding for reforestation and conservation projects.
Nuclear: Continued investment in nuclear energy as a clean energy source with two new small modular reactors and a new nuclear plant in North Wales.
Ocean: The Conservatives plan to ratify the global ocean treaty early in the next parliament.
“We are proud of our record and remain committed to delivering net zero by 2050.”
Labour Party
Labour‘s green manifesto focuses on a Green New Deal, which aims for rapid decarbonisation and social justice. Their main points include:
Net Zero by 2030: Targeting net-zero emissions by 2030, driven by substantial investments in renewable energy and creating 650,000 jobs by 2030.
Renewables: Labour aims to double onshore wind by 2030, double planned spending on insulation, triple solar and quadruple offshore wind.
Public Ownership and Investment: Proposing to bring key utilities into public ownership to ensure a coordinated and equitable approach to climate action, alongside significant investments in public transportation.
Just Transition: Emphasising the importance of a just transition for workers and communities dependent on high-carbon industries, with retraining programs and support for green jobs. The manifesto includes a pledge to end new oil and gas drilling licences.
Energy Nationalisation: They plan to bring energy networks into public ownership, helping speed up the move to renewable energy.
“The climate and nature crisis is the greatest long-term global challenge that we face.”
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats advocate for ambitious climate action paired with social and economic reforms. Their green policies include:
Net Zero by 2045: Setting a goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2045, with immediate actions to reduce carbon footprints across various sectors.
Renewable Energy Expansion: Doubling the UK’s renewable energy capacity by 2030, focusing on solar, wind, and tidal energy, aiming for 90% renewable electricity by 2030.
Carbon Pricing: Introducing a comprehensive carbon pricing system to incentivise low-carbon technologies and practices.
Home heating: Lib Dems promise a 10-year “emergency upgrade” programme including free insulation and heat pumps for those on low incomes.
Pensions: They want to turn pension funds green by requiring funds to comply with the climate goals in the Paris Agreement.
“Climate change is an existential threat. Soaring temperatures leading to wildfires, floods, droughts and rising sea levels are affecting millions of people directly, and billions more through falling food production and rising prices. Urgent action is needed – in the UK and around the world – to achieve net zero and avert catastrophe.”
Green Party
The Green Party, known for its strong environmental stance, presents a comprehensive and radical approach to sustainability. Key proposals include:
Net Zero by 2030: Greens are targeting net-zero emissions by 2030, with a move to a more circular economy.
Economic Reform: Their Radical Green New Deal looks to reshape the economy to focus on environmental sustainability, with huge investments in renewable energy and public transport.
Biodiversity and Nature: Prioritising biodiversity, with measures to protect and restore natural habitats, ban single-use plastics, and reduce pollution.
Renewable: They’re looking to create 70% of the UK’s power via wind by 2030.
Gas and Oil: Cancel all recently granted licences and stop fossil fuel extraction in the UK.
Home Heating: Green manifesto pledges to invest £9bn in low-carbon heating.
Nuclear: The Greens want to see the phase-out of nuclear energy, which they say is “unsafe and much more expensive than renewables.”
“The climate emergency continues to accelerate. Scientists warn that we are currently on track for global temperatures to rise by at least 2.5°C, far beyond levels at which humanity can safely survive. Our promise to you is that all this can change. We can create a greener, fairer country together – one in which we are all safer, happier and more fulfilled.”
Scottish National Party (SNP)
The SNP emphasises Scotland’s unique position and potential in leading climate action thanks to their renewable and fossil fuel supplies. Their proposals include:
Net Zero by 2045: Committing to Scotland’s target of net-zero emissions by 2045, focusing on renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Just Transition: Ensuring a just transition for workers in traditional energy sectors, with investments in skills training and green job creation.
Community Empowerment: Supporting community-led renewable energy projects and enhancing local decision-making on environmental issues.
North Sea: Open to new North Sea licences, taking “an evidence-based approach to oil and gas.”
Transport: They will “phase out the need for petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030” as part of their green transport revolution.
“Our commitment to tackling the twin crises of climate change and nature loss is unwavering and we believe emissions reduction and economic prosperity go hand in hand. We want to share in the enormous economic opportunities of the global transition to net zero.”
Reform
The key Reform policy is scrapping the UK’s Net Zero commitments, plus ramping up gas, oil and coal extraction and expanding renewable energy sources.
Scrap Net Zero: Reform pledge to scrap all Net Zero targets and subsidies.
Gas & Oil: Fast-track North Sea gas and oil licences, grant shale gas licences on test sites for 2 years.
Nuclear: Reform will fast-track clean nuclear energy with new Small reactors.
Renewable energy: Increase and incentivise ethical UK lithium mining for electric batteries, combined cycle gas turbines, clean synthetic fuel and tidal power.
Environment: Focus on tree planting, recycling and cutting down single-use plastics.
“Net Zero is pushing up bills, damaging British industries like steel, and making us less secure. We can protect our environment with more tree planting, more recycling and less single-use plastics. New technology will help, but we must not impoverish ourselves in pursuit of unaffordable, unachievable global CO2 targets.”
Conclusion
Green policies have never been as important, and all the major parties have a range of visions and strategies for addressing the climate crisis. From ambitious targets for net-zero emissions to investments in renewable energy and green jobs, these proposals highlight the critical role of sustainable policies in shaping the future of the UK. Axiom Sustainability Software remains committed to supporting businesses and governments in their journey towards a more sustainable world.
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