Conservatives concerned about climate change are sounding the alarm that the new prime minister may not meet his predecessor’s ambitious goals. Under Mr Johnson’s leadership, the UK has introduced important environmental policies and regulations and made more progress in tackling the climate crisis than its predecessors over the past decade.
In recent years, the UK has passed the Agriculture Act, the Fisheries Act and the Environment Act, along with rolling out a groundbreaking energy security strategy that will make the UK energy independent, provide cheap renewable energy and hopefully lower bills.
In addition to hosting COP26 in Glasgow last year, Mr Johnson also oversaw a major boost in demand for electric vehicles and offshore wind energy production.
Sam Hall, of the Conservative Environment Network, told the Guardian that for Mr Johnson, tackling the energy crisis and rolling out green policies were a key priority.
He said: “Net-zero in particular is seen as an integral part of the government’s strategy to raise the level, with a huge amount of new investment flowing into the industrial heart of the UK as a result of our net-zero level. goal.
“In response to the crisis in Ukraine, the Prime Minister has doubled down on renewables to bolster the UK’s energy security and lower the cost of living, although he has failed to secure further energy efficiency support from the Treasury. “
With Mr Johnson set to leave 10 Downing Street soon, fears have been raised that his successors could dump net zero in a bid to appease sections of the Tory backseats.
The Net Zero Scrutiny Group (NZSC) is a group of 20 conservative backbenchers who have repeatedly pushed back against Mr Johnson’s green agendas.
They have argued that net zero should be reduced as it is too expensive, especially as Britain is currently facing a cost of living crisis.
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In response to this energy crisis, the government has massively ramped up its production of new renewable energy, especially offshore wind and nuclear power.
The UK recently auctioned off a record number of wind farm contracts to generate enough electricity to power 12 million homes.