Labour can use its super majority to make UK green superpower
By Mighty Earth’s UK Senior Director, Gemma Hoskins
One of the five pillars of the Labour manifesto was making the UK a “clean energy superpower,” and clearly that message has landed well with the electorate – returning the party to power and jettisoning the Conservatives’ fourteen-year rule. Successive Tory Prime Ministers have steadily rolled back on domestic and global environmental commitments and consistently ignored the advice of its own Climate Change Committee, but Labour’s landslide victory offers hope for decisive action on climate and nature, which is so desperately needed in this crucial decade. The quadrupling of Green Party MPs also sends a strong message to the new Government of the importance of environmental issues for UK voters.
Action for nature
Labour’s ambitious energy sector plan has the makings of an impactful climate change agenda, but it’s not all rosy. The lack of focus placed on nature and biodiversity restoration both at home and abroad in the party’s manifesto leaves a huge gap in meeting the concerns of voters. A recent poll by The Wildlife Trusts found over 70% of the public feel the main parties have failed to address important issues including river pollution, nature loss and climate change. Labour now has a resounding mandate to go further than its stated climate ambition and re-establish the UK’s leading role in driving renewable energy, sustainable land use and forest protection.
Super majority to make green superpower
Throughout the election campaign there has been insufficient attention on environmental issues and a toxification of the Net Zero agenda despite UK business crying out for more ambition. In a speech a few days ago the CEO of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) called on the new administration to be “loud and proud on green growth.” Rain Newton-Smith said we “can’t be pro-growth and deliver for our people and communities, without being pro-green.” Labour can use its super majority to make the UK a green superpower with a just transition that leaves no-one behind and addresses the interconnected climate, nature and health crises.
Stronger environmental legislation
Strengthening the existing guidance of the Environment Act (2021) presents an opportunity for the Labour administration to rectify current, domestic issues including air and water quality, waste reduction, biodiversity and natural resource management, in additional to improving its’ global impact. Given Labour’s plan to create new National Forests and River Walks, there is optimism that this domestic intent will extend to global forest protection. Of special interest is Schedule 17 of the Environment Act, which aims to eradicate deforestation from UK supply chains, protecting forests in hotspots including Brazil, Congo and Indonesia – where surging deforestation rates fuel global heating.
Strengthening the incoming deforestation law, supported by industry and civil society, represents a ‘quick win’ for the new Government. With widespread support to more closely align with more rigorous EU legislation, UK business has requested much-needed clarity and prompt delivery of robust legislation, enabling companies like Tesco, Sainsbury’s and McDonalds to finally deliver on their overdue deforestation-free commitments.
In addition, amendments to the Financial Services and Markets Bill (2023) – which would extend deforestation and human rights regulations to UK financial institutions – recently received cross-party support. Labour has identified a ‘major role’ for the financial sector, promising to make the UK the green financial capital of the world and support the UK’s alignment to the 1.5C target of the Paris Agreement. Robust legislation is urgently required to realise the UK’s Net Zero ambition in an equitable, credible and sustainable way.
These crucial bills offer the new Government a tangible and realistic pathway to delivering its legally binding climate and nature targets.
The Labour government will be in power for the next five years of this pivotal decade, and the speed and scale of change it delivers will impact our ability to mitigate the worst effects of climate change and nature loss. Let’s hope it is listening to the electorate and to business leaders who recognise the socio-economic and environmental benefits of delivering the Net Zero agenda. Successfully establishing the country as a green superpower, the Labour Government can reclaim the UK’s place as a world leader for climate and nature.
The clock is ticking for the new Government and the time to act is now.
