The five remaining candidates vying to succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader ducked pledging for a more ambitious target to cut climate emissions by 2025 in yesterday’s (18 June) TV debate.
The Tory leader hopefuls were challenged to commit to net zero carbon emissions by the middle of the next decade by a young environment activist.
Erin aged 15, whose question came from Glasgow on the BBC’s Our Next Prime Minister debate, said: “On behalf of youth strikers all over the UK I would like to ask can you promise that the environment will be your top priority if elected? Will you commit to net zero carbon emissions by 2025?”
Acknowledging that all the candidates have backed the 2050 pledge, presenter Emily Maitlis asked for a show of hands for who was prepared to bring that “right down” to 2025.
None were raised. Front runner Boris Johnson piped up first in response to the question. He said: “I’m going to commit to putting the environment at the centre of my programme – how about that? That was Erin’s first demand – I’ll do that.”
Rory Stewart, secretary of state for international development (DFID) said “we absolutely want to put climate and the environment at the heart of everything we do”.
He added: “I’m deeply proud that we’ve set the 2050 target. The 2050 target is the most ambitious target so far set by any advanced industrial economy. We are going to be hosting the climate summit. This is a country that can take the lead in solar technology.
“We’ve got fantastic resources – in the North Sea, for carbon capture storage, for offshore wind. I would like to make us the leader in the world – the leader in the world in driving green and environmental change but we also have to do it in a way that’s frank and honest.”
Michael Gove thanked the questioner for her activism and helping to “raise consciousness” of the issue.
He said: “As environment secretary I’ve introduced a 25-year environment plan to ensure that we help increase the amount of energy that is generated by renewables but also we do everything from restoring the habitats – the trees and forests which act as carbon sinks to making sure we rid our air of pollution that is choking the lungs of young people and also rid our seas of the plastic – which is a scourge.”
He added: “I have one of the best jobs in the world because I can do everything I can in order to make sure that your generation get a cleaner and greener planet.”
Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt suggested climate change is a “fundamental matter of trust” between younger and older generations.
He said he is committed to the 2050 target but would not be drawn on the 2025 date, adding it was right for the questioner to challenge the contenders to “be ambitious”.
“We may well be the first country in the world to legally commit to net zero by 2050 and we need to do more,” he said.
Home secretary Sajid Javid highlighted that his 16-year-old daughter has also asked him what he is going to do about climate change if he becomes prime minister.
He said: “We have done quite a few things over the last few years but nowhere near enough. We absolutely need to become carbon neutral. I think everyone understands it will take some time but we have to be a lot more ambitious so especially in terms of renewable energy, in terms of helping people to buy electric cars and also to charge electric cars. So, we can be ambitious and at the same time create a lot more jobs and be a world leader.”
Johnson was quizzed by Maitlis about whether he would stop the Heathrow expansion if he becomes prime minister.
He said he continues to have “grave reservations” about the third runway and also highlighted his time as London mayor when emissions reduced by “14 per cent” despite an increase in population and GDP.
“We did that through technology – that is what you can do,” Boris added.
Asked who impressed her the most with their answers Erin replied: “To be honest none of you have really impressed me in the way that I am looking for.
“Climate change isn’t an issue of tomorrow, it’s an issue of today and we need to take drastic, critical action and I don’t think any of you are willing to offer that.”
Another candidate will be eliminated from the race after a third vote later today. Dominic Raab was eliminated on Tuesday – two hours ahead of the debate.