A group of more than 40 businesses, trade bodies, academics and policy specialists have signed an open letter to the leaders of the UK’s main political parties urging them to agree to a cross-party climate pact following the upcoming general election.
The letter credits cooperation between parties for the introduction the country’s new net zero target and says this must continue as they strive to fulfil the commitment.
“If the past few years have taught us anything, it is that taking a divided approach to policy-making is ineffective,” the letter states. “It has led to stagnation and frustration within parliament and across the UK.
“In this current political environment, we need to ensure that high priority issues such as achieving net zero and the wider climate change objectives do not fall into the trap of partisan ideology.”
The letter warns that “time is not on our side” and says the next government will need to be “ambitious, coordinated and accountable” if the UK is to meet its targets. “From the outset, the government and the opposition parties, whoever they may be, must work together to forge a path to net zero that is rooted in compromise and goes beyond party politics,” it adds.
“In light of this, we are calling for all parties to capture the spirit of cooperation they’ve successfully demonstrated in this sphere previously, and agree to a post-election pact on climate change, agreeing to work collaboratively, whether they are in government or opposition, to implement legislation and policy that achieves net zero by the agreed timescales, in a fair and inclusive way.”
The plea is being issued ahead of the UK’s first televised climate change debate tonight. The leaders of the Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, Plaid Cymru and the Scottish National Party have all agreed to attend. Conservative leader Boris Johnson has so far refused, with debate host Channel 4 threatening to “empty-chair” the prime minister.
Fresh climate strikes are also due to take place on Friday.
The signatories to the letter include:
- Emma Bridge, chief executive, Community Energy England
- Chris Hewitt, chief Executive, Solar Trade Association
- Jo-Jo Hubbard, chief executive and co-founder, Electron
- Louise Kingham, chief executive, Energy Institute
- Claire Mack, chief executive, Scottish Renewables
- Alistair Martin, chief strategy officer and founder, Flexitricty
- Hugh McNeal, chief executive, Renewable UK
- Laura Sandys, Challenging Ideas
- Nina Skorupska, chief executive, Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology
- Fintan Slye, director of UK System Operator, National Grid Electricity System Operator
- David Smith, chief executive, Energy Networks Association
- Goran Strbac, professor of energy systems, Imperial College London
- Joanne Wade, deputy director, Association for Decentralised Energy