COP29 - Starmer speech sends shivers down fossil-fuel-supporting MPs spines
There is now at least a road to Net Zero under the new UK Government
by Annette J Beveridge
THE Prime Minister put the proverbial cat among the pigeons at the COP29 climate conference when stating he was committed to slashing emissions by 81% in the UK.
He made the statement yesterday (Tuesday, November 12) confirming his plans to achieve this cut in emissions by 2035 showing he means business when it comes to reaching Net Zero ambitions.
The backlash
Unsurprisingly, this was not greeted with enthusiasm by some Reform UK politicians and some Conservative Ministers who have often shown disdain for Net Zero policies.
Reform UK MP, Lee Anderson, said on X: “Net Zero Madness. Whilst Two Tier Keir and Mad Miliband are at COP 29 agreeing to more hair brained schemes to make our energy bills more expensive, this is the reality. The dash for Net Zero in the UK achieves nothing apart from making us poorer and colder. Let nature take its course.”
Lee Anderson is right in one thing. Nature could do a much better job if left alone and if not ravaged by us. But that is not what he means. A framework is important to reduce emissions and to halt rising temperatures.
Reform UK MP, Richard Tice, also commented on X.
“COP 29 host, Azerbaijan president says oil and gas are a gift of God. Amen to that. We can reduce the cost of living by using our energy treasure, being oil & gas Let’s make people better off Net Zero = Net poorer.”
It has always been a bone of contention that fossil fuel lobbyists are allowed to attend COP where the impact of fossil fuels is a significant point of discussion. In this case, the hosts for COP29 (taking place in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku) and the country do have ties to fossil fuels. The president told the conference that oil, gas and other natural resources are a ‘gift of god’.
Shadow Energy Secretary & Shadow Minister for Equalities, Conservative Member of Parliament for East Surrey, Claire Coutinho commented on X:
“Keir Starmer is signing us up to climate targets that will likely require huge sacrifices from the British people. At the same time, he’s saying he won’t tell people how to live their lives. Those two things cannot be true at the same time.”
Claire Coutinho does not mention the extortionate costs to energy bills in recent years or that having an energy company here leads to more jobs and cheaper bills.
The pledge made offered some relief to conservationists like myself who have been campaigning for years to get the UK on track when it comes to future-proofing against climate change.
This planet is the only one we have. It sustains all our needs but has been ravaged and trashed by us, often for greed and profit. A very short-sighted approach.
It is the fossil fuel companies that make a huge profit from a dying planet. Those who support fossil fuels perhaps do not realise that it is nothing to do with making the UK as a country, richer. The average person does not benefit but fossil fuel companies do. It may be easier to stick to what we have in the short-term but the drive for clean energy must take significant steps forward.
Inventors
Inventors are worth their weight in gold when applying their minds to the greater good. There are new inventions coming through that will help improve the drive towards Net Zero.
Sadly, the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, would like to send emission-creating rockets up into space and offer the planet Mars gift-wrapped on a silver platter. The reality is, however, clear. If humans continue to trash planet Earth, there is no hope of living on Mars anytime soon, if ever.
While the UK emits just a fraction of other countries, these emissions are still far too high, nature is at risk - in fact, the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Greater protections for wildlife, the environment, a drive for cleaner air, and a greener landscape is essential.
Will Starmer achieve his pledge?
To date, the Government has dropped the Conservatives ban on onshore wind, and has committed to having no new North Sea Oil or Gas Licenses. The final coal power plant was closed at the end of September and carbon capture projects are being funded. So, the Government started strongly, although only time will tell.
Starmer said: “There are two possible paths ahead to address climate. The first, one of inaction and delay, or the second - the path "fixed firmly on the opportunities for tomorrow".
"Let me be clear, there is no national security, no economic security, no global security, without climate security."
He’s right. The head in the sand approach towards climate change and rolling back on Net Zero as carried out by the Conservatives has left this country on the backfoot. Many things could have been done to future-proof this country long before this but instead, fossil fuels were protected.
Ultimately, GB Energy, when it launches, will enable more jobs with the prospect of better pay and should provide cheaper bills to British bill-payers. Who doesn’t want clean, home-grown energy that is secure? It also means Putin will not have this country in a stranglehold.
Annette J Beveridge is a journalist who believes facts matter. The information in this newsletter is correct at the time of publication. Expect facts, a dash of common-sense and some personal views.