Kemi Badenoch has faced significant criticism from business leaders and a former Conservative minister after advocating for a review of net zero policies in a major policy speech.
The backlash comes as the Tory leader called into question the feasibility of the UK’s 2050 environmental targets, warning that they are impossible to achieve.
“We’re falling between two stools – too high costs and too little progress. Net zero by 2050 is impossible.”
Kemi Badenoch
Badenoch claimed she was one of “just a handful” of MPs who had initially raised concerns about the lack of a concrete plan when the targets were introduced by former Prime Minister Theresa May. However, her latest remarks have been met with sharp opposition, with critics accusing her of backtracking on her previous stance.
Among those challenging Badenoch’s statements is former Tory environment minister Chris Skidmore, who highlighted her previous support for net zero policies while serving as Business and Trade Secretary.
Taking to social media platform X, Skidmore posted a sarcastic message in response to her speech, stating, “Great speech by Kemi Badenoch on the economic importance of net zero and clean energy.”
During a Q&A session following her speech, Badenoch even suggested the possibility of scrapping net zero entirely.
“It may be that there’s a better way of delivering net zero – or it may be that we shouldn’t be looking at net zero but just focusing on clean energy and energy security, and there’s a different way of doing that.”
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) condemned her remarks, emphasizing the importance of green policies in driving economic growth. Rain Newton-Smith, the chief executive of the CBI, said, “Now is not the time to step back from the opportunities of the green economy.”
“Cross-party support for net zero has underpinned international investors’ confidence to choose the UK for investment in the energy transition. Last year, this resulted in the net zero economy growing by 10% and adding £83 billion to national income.”
Rain Newton-Smith
Labour’s energy secretary Ed Miliband criticized the Conservatives’ shifting stance, remarking that the party was “off to the whacky races” with its policy changes. He described Badenoch’s approach as “anti-business, anti-growth, anti-jobs and the wrong choice for Britain.”
A Labour spokesperson further accused Badenoch of hypocrisy, stating, “Kemi Badenoch claims she’s ready to ‘deal with reality’ while remaining in complete denial about the reality of the Tories’ appalling record in government.”
Environmental advocates have also expressed alarm at Badenoch’s remarks. Greenpeace UK’s head of climate, Mel Evans, warned that abandoning net zero policies would be detrimental to both the economy and the environment. She stated, “The past few years have taught us the surest route to falling living standards is staying hooked on volatile, expensive, and polluting fossil fuels.”
“Throwing in the towel on our climate goals means giving up on making life better for British people now and in the future. With green industries growing three times faster than the rest of the UK economy, it also means giving up on the economic opportunity of the century.”
Mel Evans
According to Evans, the majority of the British public supports climate action, and the government should focus on “taking on the fossil fuel giants, ending the great gas rip-off, and making life easier for households across the country.”
Badenoch Stands By Her Position
Despite mounting criticism, Badenoch has defended her call for a reassessment of net zero policies. In a preview of her speech, she acknowledged that lower energy costs and environmental protection are “noble aims” but argued that the current policies are ineffective.
She insisted her position was not driven by ideology but by pragmatism, emphasizing that she was not making a “moral judgment” on net zero or questioning the existence of climate change.
As the debate over net zero policies continues to intensify, business leaders, politicians, and environmental groups are expected to push for clarity on the Conservative Party’s long-term climate strategy.
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