Campaigners Press Chancellor to Account for Low-Carbon Future in Budget

Climate activists are pushing the government to set out a solid plan for the UK’s low-carbon future in the upcoming budget next week.

The activists are concerned that failing to clarify the path to net zero emissions by 2050 will be looked upon less favourably by nations looking to the UK to take the lead when it comes to battling the climate crisis. The UK is set to host the UN climate talks - COP26 - in Glasgow this coming November.

On Friday it was revealed that a crucial policy change to national infrastructure would be delayed. This included major reworking of the country’s transport, water, and energy infrastructures in order to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.

Doug Parr, chief scientist at Greenpeace UK, said: “This budget is a big opportunity for the government to set out their stall for Cop26 and lead by example, so it’s disappointing that we may not have a major announcement on low-carbon infrastructure as part of it”.

“But if ministers are using the additional time to improve the plan, that may not be a bad thing. The chancellor should set out a clear timeline for this infrastructure programme and support at least 5% of government spending on climate and nature in the budget. This would show that ministers mean business in tackling the climate emergency,” he added.

Head of politics at Friends of the Earth, Dave Timms, said: “The government reconsidering support for expensive climate-wrecking infrastructure projects such as the £30bn road-building programme would be a welcome sign that international climate commitments are being taken more seriously. However, they need to urgently press ahead with funding a national programme of investment in the UK’s cold and leaky homes where there are clear benefits for the economy, households, and the planet”.

The budget, to be revealed next Wednesday, will be the first outlined since the UK legally adopted the net zero target for 2050, as well as the first since the UK left the European Union. It will also be examined by other countries to check that the UK is taking COP26 seriously.

The ‘European Green Deal’ has already been outlined by the EU with the hopes of leading to net zero emissions by 2050. China is currently the world’s biggest offender when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, and it is hoped that the green deal can set the example required to convince China to follow suit.

However, if the UK does not adopt a similar approach, it will lack credibility when trying to form a coalition of countries in order to make COP26 a success. Shaun Spiers, executive director of Green Alliance, said: “We’ve been promised a green budget, and with only eight months to go till the UN climate talks, it’s essential we get one,” adding: “The government is badly off target to deliver its legally binding climate commitments. This is the moment to get on track.”