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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
Click for more news covering the latest on climate change