Chris Skidmore: Much of what we do in the so-called corridors of power is worthy, rewarding but in reality often pretty thankless stuff. But this week, sitting in my office having worked through my usual mountain of paperwork from my red box, I turned my attention to a document called Climate Change Act (2050 target amendment) Order 2019. While it might sound dry, this is one of the most important slips of paper to ever pass through the Whitehall churn. Signing that seemingly insignificant piece of paper made us the first major economy to legislate for net-zero emissions – that means ending our contribution to global warming entirely. As a Tudor historian by trade with a few books under my belt, I can safely say it’s the most satisfying pen stroke of my career. That simple flick of the wrist has set us on a path to reducing our emissions to net zero by 2050. Our great nation was responsible for the Industrial Revolution, exporting prosperity and industry to all corners of the globe.
Times 28th June 2019 read more »
Natascha Engel was the UK’s first commissioner for shale gas. As Theresa May takes to the G20 stage in Japan to urge her fellow leaders to follow the UK’s moral leadership on climate change, she should hope that their parting gift is, politely, to ignore her. As impressive as the target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 sounds, other countries will recognise the capacity it has to destroy UK plc for generations to come. The lack of scrutiny of what would be the most expensive and socially disruptive public policy since the Second World War is truly remarkable. The announcement and cross-party self-congratulations last week were short on any ideas about how we get there and who picks up the tab. The chancellor has estimated that the cost would be more than £1 trillion. That’s £1,000 every second for the next 30 years.
Times 28th June 2019 read more »