Green credentials

Whilst the current list (albeit getting shorter) of candidates looking to replace Boris Johnson are keen to emphasise their ‘true blue’ colours to Conservative MPs and party members, it’s their green credentials that will have the most lasting impact. For whilst the cost of living crisis and the war in Ukraine have dominated the news headlines lately, that doesn’t mean the threat posed by global warming and climate change has gone away. The UK has been a leading supporter of the transition to a global green economy and over the coming days and weeks the questioning on TV, radio, online, hustings and other platforms should inform which of the candidates will continue this. Only Conservative Party MPs and then party members will have any say in who will emerge the winner. However, once in office, the next Prime Minister will face a series of key decisions concerning the green agenda which the electorate as a whole will be able to hold them to account at the General Election that must be held by December 2024 at the latest. All parties will be aware that polls consistently show over 60% approval for action on climate change. So, how will we be able to tell if the Prime Minister is committed to a green future given the current ‘contenders’ seem to have differing views on the issue? Well, firstly it will be a clear commitment to the current goal of the UK being net zero in terms of carbon emissions by 2050 and in doing so reduce and limit global warming. It’s worth reminding ourselves why this is so important. If we fail to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the increase in floods and fires we have seen around the world will get more frequent and more fierce, crops will be more likely to fail, and sea levels will rise driving mass migration as millions are forced from their homes. Above 1.5°C we risk reaching climatic tipping points like the melting of arctic permafrost – releasing millennia of stored greenhouse gases – meaning we could lose control of our climate for good. The Government has identified that replacing gas, oil and coal powered heating and energy in homes with green alternatives including ground source heat pumps is vital if we are to achieve net zero. An early sign the new PM is behind the strategy would be for them to go further and adapt the recommendations of the Commons Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee. This includes better support for lower income households looking to decarbonise, and incentivising banks to create low-interest loans to families looking to switch to green power. A national plan for insulating homes and buildings would be a real statement of intent as would clear direction that Government grants across public, private and voluntary sector on everything from apprenticeships to business development will be dependent on a green checklist. Final decisions are due to be made on a proposed new coal mine planned for Cumbria and whether fracking will be allowed in the UK – it’s inconceivable that the new PM would not be consulted on this. Change at the top is inevitable in politics – change in direction doesn’t have to be.

For more information on Green credentials talk to Go Geothermal Ltd