UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has declared the nation’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 as “impossible,” asserting that pursuing this target could lead to significant economic hardships or even national bankruptcy.
In a recent speech, Badenoch criticized the existing net-zero policies, labeling them as “muddled plans” with “unrealistic targets and deadlines.” She expressed concern over the UK’s increasing reliance on China for renewable energy components, particularly solar panels, warning that this dependency compromises national security.
Badenoch’s stance aligns the Conservative Party more closely with the right-wing Reform UK party, which has also questioned the feasibility of the 2050 net-zero target. This policy shift has sparked criticism from environmental groups, who argue that abandoning the target undermines global efforts to combat climate change.
Former Prime Minister Theresa May has publicly disagreed with Badenoch’s assessment, defending the 2050 net-zero goal as both achievable and essential for addressing climate change.
Climate experts also refute Badenoch’s claims, emphasizing that the 2050 net-zero target is grounded in scientific evidence and is critical for limiting global warming. The UK’s Climate Change Committee has outlined detailed pathways to achieve this goal without compromising economic stability.
Badenoch has tasked Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho with developing new proposals for affordable and clean energy solutions, signaling a potential shift in the UK’s climate policy approach.
