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Today, we’re learning more about the UK’s climate strategy - spoiler alert: everyone’s pissed. Let’s get in to it.

Committed to Emittin’

This week, three separate climate campaign groups filed claims in the UK’s High Court against the Government focused on Rishi Sunak’s recently unveiled Green Day plan.

Friends of the Earth, ClientEarth and Good Law Project all lodged similar complaints arguing the revised plan still does not hit the Net Zero requirements.

If we ignore for a second that each of these organisations sounds like a cult, it’s clear that they have a point.

As a quick reminder, a year ago, the High Court found that previous policies on tackling greenhouse gases were unlawful as they did not go far enough to meet legally binding-targets that the government themselves has set out.

Following this, in March the government updated their plans and launched a number of consultations on their so called ‘Green Day’ - but now it’s looking like these updated plans still don’t go far enough to hit Net Zero targets.

Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice and we’re getting the lawyers involved. Or something like that…

The new policies hit 92% of emissions reduction targets but you would’ve thought a second chance might be able to go further. The strategy remains sparse on details and banks on long-term projects.

In particular, critics have argued that proposed spending will be dwarfed by the American $369B inflation reduction act, further holding the UK back from attracting private sector investment in to the climate sector.

The legal action comes hot on the heels of Energy and Climate Minister Zac Goldsmith resigning due to a lack of progress on urgent climate issues. All round, it’s not a good look for the UK - but then again France was always where the fashion was at.

The Strawman

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