UK Energy Secretary Miliband Defends Climate Action Amid Tory Net Zero Reversal

Ed Miliband, the UK Energy and Net Zero Secretary, delivered his first annual 'state of the climate' statement to Parliament, highlighting the urgent threats posed by climate change and nature depletion as detailed in a recent Met Office report. He condemned the Conservative Party for abandoning the net zero consensus, accusing them of being 'anti-science' and stressed the need for cross-party unity to tackle the climate crisis, emphasizing Britain's leadership role in global climate efforts. Miliband underscored that extreme weather events are becoming the norm in the UK, disrupting infrastructure and agriculture, and called for holding climate skeptics accountable for undermining action. Critics from the Conservative and Reform UK parties, including shadow ministers and Reform deputy leader Richard Tice, dismissed Miliband's warnings as alarmist and economically harmful, arguing that net zero policies would increase energy costs and damage British industry. Opponents advocate for adaptation strategies and criticize the feasibility and economic impact of the net zero agenda, citing high projected costs and potential energy insecurity. Despite the political divide, Miliband remains resolute, linking his speeches to annual climate reports and pledging to push for integrated governmental action on emissions reduction, climate adaptation, and nature conservation.