Climate science deniers use farmers’ protests to attack net zero

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on DeSmog or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Farmers’ protests against Labour’s inheritance tax reform have been co-opted by conspiracy theorists and anti-net-zero advocates
• The tax policy, raising inheritance tax on farms worth over £1 million to 20% by 2026, has drawn criticism from across the political spectrum
• Public figures like Jeremy Clarkson and groups such as No Farmers, No Food (NFNF) have used the protests to propagate anti-green narratives and conspiracy theories

🔭 The context: Labour’s policy, affecting 500 of the UK’s 209,000 farms, aims to raise revenue from wealthy landowners
• However, it has sparked backlash, with activists alleging it’s part of a “sinister plan” to replace farmers with migrants and windfarms
• Such claims echo international far-right narratives tying green policies to loss of freedoms and the "Great Reset" conspiracy theory

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The hijacking of environmental policies by conspiracy theorists risks undermining public support for net-zero goals and the energy transition
• Distrust fueled by misinformation could weaken collaboration with farmers, crucial stakeholders in addressing climate and biodiversity crises

⏭️ What's next: Labour must navigate the backlash by fostering trust with farmers while combating misinformation about its tax and climate policies
• Broader efforts to depoliticize climate action and clarify its benefits could counter the growing influence of anti-green culture wars

💬 One quote: “The way these reforms have been handled… is a gift to those who would seek to ferment a culture war in farming,” - Tom Lancaster of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit

📈 One stat: Labour claims the inheritance tax reform will impact only 500 farms, a fraction of the UK's 209,000 total

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