Institute responds to UK general election announcement

Elizabeth Robinson, Director of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science, said: 

“The next government must seize this opportunity to reorient the economy towards sustainable growth and secure a prosperous future for the planet.

Unfortunately the current government has backtracked on key climate commitments and is no longer viewed as a global leader on climate action.

It is not too late for politicians to act to keep temperatures well below 2C warming but they have to recognise that the scale and pace of structural change must be rapid and backed up with policies and actions that deliver a just transition to net zero. At present, collectively, we are failing to rise to the challenge. 

This election we need to see political parties be bold, ambitious, and prepared to implement the changes this country and the planet needs.”

Bob Ward, Policy and Communications Director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science, said: 

“This election announcement is made in the same week that researchers published evidence that the heavy rainfall the UK has experienced over the winter and spring, and caused flooding across many parts of the country, was made more likely by climate change. 

The British electorate are connecting the dots and know that climate change is causing growing damage to the nation and creating a more dangerous and insecure world. Opinion polls show that the overwhelming majority of the public want strong and effective action on climate change. Many, many voters, particularly young people, will back the political party that offers the most convincing manifesto on climate action.”

ENDS