A proposal by UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch to repeal the Climate Change Act 2008 if her party wins the next general election has drawn criticism from energy trade bodies and business leaders, who warn it could damage investor confidence and raise long-term energy costs.
Speaking ahead of the Conservative Party conference in Manchester next week, Badenoch said the legislation — introduced under former Labour minister Ed Miliband — “stands in the way” of lowering energy bills and promoting economic growth.
“It’s time to stop the deindustrialisation of Britain,” Badenoch said. “We can protect our environment and preserve nature without crushing our economy. The Conservatives have a plan to make economic growth the priority, bring down energy bills and put more money in your pocket.”
The comments have sparked concern across the UK’s clean energy sector, with several major trade bodies warning that removing the legislative framework for emissions reductions would risk deterring investment and slowing the country’s transition to low-cost, domestic energy sources.
“The net zero economy should be seen as a driver for growth, not a brake,” said Jane Cooper, deputy chief executive of RenewableUK. “Investors would be disappointed to lose a framework which undoubtedly builds confidence that the UK will continue to develop clean technologies.”
She cited data from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), noting that the UK’s drive toward clean power supports nearly one million jobs, including 55,000 in offshore wind.
EnergyUK, which represents major utilities, warned that repealing the Act would inject uncertainty into a sector that attracted £24 billion in investment last year and supports one in every 25 UK jobs.
“Treating the Climate Change Act as a political football is a surefire way to deter funding,” said EnergyUK chief executive Dhara Vyas. “Pulling out the rug from under these critical investments will do nothing to lower energy bills. The only route to long-term energy security, and to stabilising energy prices for homes and businesses, is through a pragmatic transition to clean energy.”
Trevor Hutchings, CEO of the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA), described the proposal as “an act of economic self-sabotage,” warning it would undermine the UK’s attractiveness to global investors.
“Anyone who is serious about bringing down energy costs should be focused on reducing our dependence on volatile foreign gas, which won’t happen by tearing up settled law,” Hutchings said.
Solar Energy UK also condemned the proposal, calling it “reckless.” The group argued that it could lock consumers into higher energy prices by hindering the rollout of cheaper technologies.
“Solar power is now the cheapest source of electricity in the UK,” said Gemma Grimes, the organisation’s director of policy and delivery. “In contrast, our ongoing dependence on fossil fuels has pushed up the price of power and heating.”
The Climate Change Act, passed in 2008, legally commits the UK to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and has been central to government energy policy across successive administrations.
