Kemi Badenoch abandons UK net zero target by 2050

Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, announced this week that the party would no longer support the goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This target was established in law in 2019 under former Prime Minister Theresa May. Badenoch has not provided any evidence to justify her position. Research from the London School of Economics suggests that while the initial costs of reaching net zero may be between 1% and 2% of GDP annually, savings are expected by around 2040. The UK invests about 11% of its GDP in healthcare and 10% in social security, making the net zero investment comparable. Former ministers have previously stressed that the cost of hitting net zero remains around 2% of GDP, similar to when it was first proposed. Reports indicate that by 2040, the savings from reduced emissions are expected to exceed investment costs, with a projected annual saving of £19 billion by 2050. Badenoch also claimed that no one understands why the target is set for 2050. However, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stated that reaching net zero around mid-century is essential to limit global warming to 1.5C and avoid severe climate issues. This goal is legally binding for the UK under the Paris Agreement. Former Prime Minister May responded to Badenoch, emphasizing that the target is supported by scientific consensus and deemed feasible and cost-effective by the Climate Change Committee. The UK has made progress in reducing emissions but remains one of the top polluting countries. Discussions in parliament noted that the UK is historically a significant emitter and withdrawing from the net zero target could complicate climate negotiations. Recently, analysis showed that the top contributors to global emissions include many wealthy countries, which together account for a substantial share of total emissions. The Climate Change Committee has outlined various pathways for the UK to achieve net zero by 2050, calling the process challenging but realistic. Currently, 142 countries, covering a large portion of global emissions, have committed to net zero targets. Major economies, including China and India, are increasing their investments in renewable energy. The UK government's plans are subject to scrutiny. Past strategies have faced legal challenges for lack of detail in emission reduction plans, and the next submission by the Labour government is expected by spring 2026.