Decisions made today will determine whether the UK secures a cleaner, safer and more prosperous future. At the same time as households face rising living costs, climate change and nature loss are also threatening our economic stability, food security and public health. Addressing these challenges requires ambitious leadership to unlock the opportunities of net zero and restore nature for communities across the UK. Yet climate and nature policy is too often treated as separate from the government’s core priorities. As representatives of the UK’s climate and nature movement, we call on the future Prime Minister to uphold the following principles:
1. Bring down bills for good
The UK is now producing more renewable energy than ever before, but more needs to be done to ensure people feel the full benefits. The government must use the upcoming Energy Independence Bill to retain the rollout of renewable energy at pace, legislate for the North Sea oil and gas licensing ban, make a full government commitment to electrification, and provide good quality insulation for our homes. A joined-up approach across departments will ensure cheaper renewable electricity can power more homes, vehicles and businesses, whilst being delivered in a way that supports nature recovery.
2. Support a fair transition for workers and communities
A fair transition to an economy that works for people, climate and nature is one that ensures communities across the UK can share in its benefits. The government must commit to champion policies that lower bills, warm homes and create high-quality jobs, learning from past transitions to better support workers and industries impacted by change. This includes working with British farmers to deliver healthy, diverse land managed for the future.
3. Restore our natural environment
A sustainable economic system depends on a healthy natural world, and nature is the best defence we have against the impacts of climate change, including flooding and extreme heat. Nature is also a major source of national pride, 83% say that restoring nature is a priority to them, but only 15% believe the government is doing a good job at restoring it. The government must protect at least 30% of land and sea for nature while also supporting nature friendly farming practices and ensuring that new housing and infrastructure allows both people and nature to thrive – taken together such policies are essential to restore biodiversity, safeguard food security, and combat climate change.
4. Ensure polluters play their part in the transition
Over recent years the damage caused to our climate and environment by some of the biggest polluters has become hard to ignore, be that sewage dumping and chemical runoff into our waterways, or increased heat, floods and wildfires driven by fossil fuels. The government must commit to standing up to the polluters who have been making huge profits and introduce measures to hold them accountable including through tighter regulation, fines and taxation.
5. Protect civic space, public participation and the right to protest
Democracies can only thrive when civil society is given the space to engage and intervene on issues they care about, whether that be through protest, legal challenge, campaigning or community action. But in recent years, successive governments have made it more difficult for the public to engage in peaceful protests. The government must safeguard our democracy and protect civic space to ensure the British public can have their voices heard.
6. Champion international leadership
Conflicts over energy and water are costing lives, the earth and worsening the cost-of-living crisis. Wars like the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine are driving up energy and food costs for ordinary people here in the UK and around the world. The next Prime Minister must drive forward international action on climate and nature. They must also oppose violations of international law that so often cause – and are caused by – environmental neglect and unsustainable energy policies.
Signed by:
- Climate Action Network UK
- Climate Outreach
- ClientEarth
- Friends of the Earth
- Green Alliance
- Greenpeace UK
- Marine Conservation Society
- Oceana UK
- RSPB
- The Climate Coalition
- The Wildlife Trusts
- Wildlife and Countryside Link
- WWF