The party has pledged to protect the environment through tree planting, more recycling, and less single use plastics – all plus points. On agriculture, the party’s commitment to address unfair supermarket pricing and to boost local food sales is welcome; currently, farmers often receive less than 1% of the profit from food they produce. However, this is more than overshadowed by the party’s plans to scrap all climate-related farming subsidies.
Our current food system is not working for farmers, for consumers, nor for our environment. By supporting farmers to shift towards regenerative, nature-friendly methods, farming has huge potential to deliver a green rural renewal.
Reform UK’s plans to scrap the UK’s legally binding target to bring greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 and the party’s plans to fast-track licenses for North Sea oil and gas are entirely at odds with the latest scientific evidence and will do nothing to address the cost-of-living crisis. Climate change is already causing huge problems for our natural world. Nature is absolutely vital to the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink; recent analysis has revealed that the deterioration of the UK’s natural environment could reduce GDP by 12%.
Our dependence on fossil fuels catapulted the UK into a cost-of-living crisis – these fuels are the problem, not the solution. More than 140 countries have set a net-zero target and it is absurd to suggest that the UK should be exempt from also taking action to reduce emissions.
It is also simply untrue that the policies required to reach net zero by 2050 will increase costs for the poorest households – the opposite is the case. In recent years we have seen flooding, drought, heatwaves, and wildfires that have claimed lives and destroyed homes and businesses. Abandoning the UK’s net zero target would make an appalling situation very much worse.
Tackling the climate emergency, reducing emissions while adapting to change, protecting blue carbon in our seas, and upgrading energy efficiency for homes are key actions for any future government. All political parties would do well to remember that the public backs urgent action to address the climate emergency, with 4 in 10 people surveyed by The Wildlife Trusts planning to vote based on environmental policies offered by candidates.”
Our reviews of Labour, Conservative, Green Party and Lib Dem’s nature plans are also available.