Tories plan to ditch Climate Change Act, says Kemi Badenoch

When Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party announced on Tuesday that her party would scrap the Climate Change ActUnited Kingdom if it returns to power, she called the 2008 law “burdensome.” The declaration came during a live broadcast of the party’s weekly policy review, and it instantly sparked a firestorm of criticism from renewable‑energy groups and climate scientists.

Background of the Climate Change Act

The Climate Change Act, passed on 26 June 2008, was the world’s first legally binding climate‑change framework. It set five‑yearly carbon‑budget targets, aiming for an 80% cut in greenhouse‑gas emissions by 2050 compared with 1990 levels. Over the past decade, the legislation has driven the expansion of offshore wind, incentivised low‑carbon technology, and anchored the United Kingdom’s pledge to the Paris Agreement.

According to the UK Climate Change Committee, the Act has helped the country reduce emissions by roughly 43% by 2023 – a figure that outpaces many EU neighbours. Yet critics within the Conservative ranks argue the law ties the hands of industry, inflates energy bills, and hampers economic recovery after the pandemic.

Badenoch’s Rationale and Party Strategy

In her televised address, Badenoch claimed the Act “forces governments into policy decisions that have proved problematic,” suggesting that it compels costly subsidies and restricts the development of traditional energy sources such as natural gas. She framed the proposal as a “restoration of fiscal prudence” and a way to “re‑energise British industry.”

Party insiders say the move is also a political calculation ahead of the next general election, where the Conservatives hope to win back swing voters in the Midlands who feel “energy prices have left them in the cold.” The new policy line is being drafted by the party’s Treasury team, headed by James Cartwright, who believes the legislation “locks in a one‑size‑fits‑all approach that no longer reflects the realities of today’s energy market.”

Industry and Environmental Reactions

Solar Energy UK issued a blistering statement, warning that tearing down the Act would “undo decades of progress” and jeopardise the nation’s energy‑security goals. “The Climate Change Act is the backbone of the UK’s green‑energy investment pipeline,” the organisation’s chief executive, Emma Shaw, told reporters. “Without it, we risk a vacuum where investors see policy uncertainty and walk away.”

Other renewable‑energy firms echoed the sentiment. The Association of Wind Power (AWP) warned that the proposal could stall the offshore wind pipeline, potentially delaying the 2027 target of 50 GW of wind capacity. Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency (IEA) noted that countries that have rolled back emissions legislation typically face higher electricity prices and greater reliance on imported fossil fuels.

On the other side, several think‑tanks, including the Institute of Economic Affairs, backed Badenoch’s call, arguing that market‑driven solutions could achieve the same emissions cuts at lower cost.

Political Implications and Parliamentary Prospects

Should the Conservatives regain a parliamentary majority, the party would need to navigate a complex legislative landscape to repeal the Act. The legislation currently enjoys broad cross‑party support; it was originally passed with backing from Labour, Liberal Democrats, and even some Conservative MPs.

Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer has already signalled that any attempt to dismantle the Act would trigger a “no‑confidence motion” in the government. Moreover, the House of Lords, where many climate‑focused NGOs keep a watchful eye, could become a battleground if the Commons pushes a repeal bill.

Legal scholars warn that undoing the Act could also raise questions under international law, particularly the UK's commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Professor Lydia Cheng of the University of Cambridge cautioned that “a sudden policy reversal would not only erode credibility but could also expose the UK to trade‑related challenges in the emerging carbon‑border regime.”

What’s Next for UK Climate Policy?

• Conservatives are expected to release a detailed policy white‑paper by early November, outlining alternative pathways to meet net‑zero targets.
• Renewable‑energy lobby groups plan a coordinated campaign in Parliament, including a petition that has already gathered more than 150,000 signatures.
• The upcoming September climate summit in Glasgow will likely become a showcase for how the UK intends to balance economic growth with emissions reductions.
• Experts predict that if the Act is repealed, the UK could miss its 2030 interim carbon‑budget, potentially incurring penalties under the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

In short, the debate is far from settled. While Badenoch frames the move as a chance to “unshackle” the economy, opponents see it as a dangerous gamble that could cost the nation billions in lost green‑technology investment and undermine its moral leadership on climate.