As Greece burns, we see the existential climate crisis dragged into shoddy UK party politics. That can’t happen

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece here in The Guardian or enjoy below 

🗞️ Driving the news: Global warming-induced severe weather events have intensified the focus on climate action
• However, the UK's bipartisan agreement on reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 is being challenged by Conservatives, citing high costs and lack of public support: this opposition stems from recent byelections in Uxbridge and South Ruislip

🔭 The context: Certain politicians contend that the UK's expensive green policies exacerbate living costs
• Some propose rejuvenating the party by discarding initiatives like the 2030 phase-out of new petrol and diesel vehicle
• However, internal Conservative critics claim that the onshore wind ban annually costs UK households £180.

🌎 Why does it matter for the planet: The rejection of climate action measures, particularly net-zero emissions, could further exacerbate the global climate crisis
• The Conservative's potential pushback against climate policies may also influence other countries' climate action efforts

⏭️ What's next: The Conservative Environmental Network and the Onward thinktank continue to support net-zero ambitions and are working on feasible ways for the UK to achieve its decarbonisation goals
• The possibility of Conservative sceptics of net-zero emissions returning to government around 2029 poses a significant threat to the UK's climate commitments

💬 One quote: "Unless the necessity of meaningful climate action is understood on both the right and the left, the sense of deepening disaster will only worsen." (John Harris, Guardian columnist)

📈 One stat: The Conservative Environmental Network, which supports net-zero, nature restoration and resource security, includes 150 peers and MPs

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