Badenoch questions 2050 Net Zero target, sparks Tory backlash

In a recent speech, Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, declared that achieving net zero emissions by 2050 is 'impossible' without a significant drop in living standards or risking bankruptcy for the UK. She criticized her predecessors for enacting the net zero law in 2019 without a comprehensive plan, arguing that the ambitious target was set hastily and lacks feasibility. Badenoch emphasized that her stance is not a moral judgment on climate change, which she acknowledges exists, but rather a pragmatic approach to energy policy that prioritizes economic stability. This declaration has sparked criticism from environmentalists within her party, who argue that abandoning the net zero target undermines previous efforts and could damage the Conservative Party's credibility on climate issues. Badenoch plans to initiate a 'policy renewal' process focused on energy and net zero, asserting the need for honesty in political discourse about climate commitments. As political responses unfold, concerns about the implications for the UK's environmental legacy and future policy directions remain prevalent.