Please ask the Prime Minister to stick to the plan – Reply from Robert Largan

The news that the Prime Minister is reported to be considering relaxing a number of critical pledges relating to our path to achieving ‘net zero’ is alarming.  Please contact him to exhort him not to do so!

 

Achieving ‘net zero’ is of course essential.  What is less commonly recognised is that the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses that is emitted before we reach net zero is also critically important.  This is because they remain in the atmosphere for centuries, so the more CO2 that is emitted before we reach net zero, the more global heating is ‘locked in’.  So we must decarbonise as fast as possible.

 

We know from our nearly one thousand supporters in the Hope Valley that the measures planned have widespread support.  Our local surveys have demonstrated that people are keen to decarbonise their homes and transport, and they are looking to Government for help and support in doing so.  Moreover, as you doubtless know, industry is looking to Government to provide a stable policy environment in which they can make the necessary investment decisions.

 

There are also significant co-benefits in, for example, better home insulation.  Better insulation means cheaper energy bills, but also warmer homes and so better health.  Electric vehicles lead to less pollution and better respiratory and cardiac health.

 

The United Kingdom has established itself as a world leader in climate policy, both through our successes in decarbonisation so far (but there is a lot further to go!) as well as because of our robust plans for the future.  Reneging on these risks throwing away our leadership status.

 

For all these reasons, and more, it would be disastrous if the Government were to renege on or postpone the commitments made on stopping the sale of fossil fueled cars and gas fired boilers.  Please do your utmost to persuade the Prime Minister of the folly of so doing.  There is nothing conservative about destroying the ecosystems on which we all depend.

 

With best wishes,