Need to win hearts and minds 

Net zero transition policies are on the defensive: there is an evident backlash. So how do we, who feel passionate that transition policies must succeed, ensure the sceptics are won over? Here are my reflections.  

The backlash is related to understandable concerns principally: 

• Economics: transitioning costs are unaffordable, particularly linked to moving from a reliance on fossil fuels and effect on energy bills. Feasibility is being questioned in comparison to other priorities like healthcare, immigration control and lower taxes.                     

• Disruption: unfairly hurts certain communities, including with job losses: makes them feel even more “left behind”. 

• Insignificant global effect: The UK is responsible for less than 1% of annual global emissions of greenhouse gases, and therefore mitigating its emissions will have no practical impact. For instance, other countries are still actively constructing new coal-fired power plants. 

In addition, the debate has become increasingly polarised: a contrast to 2008 when Climate Change Act was passed – based on cross-party consensus and which has helped the UK meet its carbon budgets.  Today, some political factions actively resist climate action – arguing transition (to a low-carbon economy) is an established elite threat to traditional ways of life. The resistance can be linked to criticism about climate science and the urgency of climate crisis.  

These concerns are complex, and reflect a mixture of biases: cognitive and emotional – and to win over the hearts and minds requires a combination of empathy, engagement, as well as education and scrutiny. The public need to be persuaded they will be better off by embracing the net zero vision. I suggest key practical, albeit challenging, solutions – involving government and us working together. 

We should engage constructively with the government’s current consultation on mandatory climate-related transition plan requirements for UK-regulated financial institutions and FTSE 100 companies – as the UK looks to secure its position as a global leader in sustainable finance: 17 September final submission date. Advocate pragmatic approach to transition plan policy: “comply or explain”.  Government helpfully has signalled, recognising the transitioning cost concern, that consultation decisions will fit its “ambition to reduce the costs of regulation for business by 25%”.  

But importantly, government must demonstrate – as in other policy areas – it is going “further and faster to win over the sceptics and achieve meaningful improvements:  

Deliver on the benefits of transitioning 

• Employment and social: Transition presents the opportunity for substantial job creation and economic potential in a number of industries, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transport and circular economy activities. 

In the case of the UK, jobs may be lost due to the shift away from carbon-intensive industries, the Climate Change Committee estimates that between 135,000 and 725,000 net new jobs could be created in low-carbon sectors by 2030.  

The UK should embrace a “just transition”: a shift towards a sustainable, low-carbon economy that is fair and equitable for all, in particular: 

• focus on the creation of jobs in communities that feel “left behind”; and 

• support their social infrastructure, for example with affordable housing and other solutions that enable communities to thrive. 

In view of the government’s straitened finances, transition should be an investment priority for pension schemes that back UK growth complemented with government facilitating asset management entrepreneurship for transition projects. After all, the UK’s asset management sector is the largest in Europe and the second largest globally.  

• Energy security: Petrol and oil-importing countries are more prone to price instability and geopolitical turmoil. Energy supply diversification will assist domestic resilience against price shocks, enhance grid and more market stability by utilising more renewable sources of energy, including solar, wind, and hydro.

Demonstrate speed and best execution with delivery  

The government’s 10 Year UK Infrastructure Strategy, with a focus on housing and social infrastructure (including transitioning), must show every effort to deliver key improvements well within the 10 years. In particular by 2029 when it faces a general election, government the electorate must have confidence that are better off, say with reduced energy bills, as a result of net-zero policies. Government operates with unprecedented levels of political fragmentation, growing cynicism towards politics, and an impatience for results. 

UK must have a significant international influence  

The UK’s responsibility for less than 1% annual global emissions of greenhouse gases, means that more than 99% of the annual emissions that are driving the growing impacts of climate change in the UK, originate from beyond the country’s borders. However, its credibility internationally depends on proving that net zero policies actually work (like achieving lower energy prices) and lead to economic benefits.  

The UK has a crucial role in persuading other countries to cut their emissions and can advance this role by advocating for strong action and leading by example. This role is linked with the UK taking responsibility for historic emissions, and supporting the Global South with their decarbonisation policies. 

Counter climate misinformation  

It is imperative to promote accurate information, highlighting the scientific evidence and challenging climate misinformation. The overwhelming evidence of human-caused climate change and the consequences of inaction must be emphasised. The narrative needs to be understandable, verifiable, open to scrutiny in order to establish consensus. 

Furthermore, greenwashing (good to see UK’s regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, attacking greenwashing with 2024 guidance) and climate delayism must be exposed. 

The government has laudable goals for the UK to meet net zero by 2050 and a 68% reduction in emissions by 2030. Hopefully, my reflections help in addressing the backlash challenges and ensuring hearts and minds are won over. For our future generations, UK transition policies must succeed.