UK political parties have revealed their manifestos ahead of the General Election on 4^th July 2024, addressing their approaches to achieving net zero among environmental policies. This blog compares the policies of the leading political parties within the UK, highlighting their commitments, strategies, and funding allocations surrounding net zero.

Net Zero

Most parties have set distinct targets for achieving net zero emissions. The Conservative and Green Party aim to reach net zero by 2050, while the Liberal Democrats and SNP target 2045. Plaid Cymru has set a net zero target of 2035 for Wales, and Labour plans to achieve zero-carbon electricity by 2030 as a milestone towards net zero. It’s also important to note, the Green Party are planning a 70% emissions reduction by 2030 and the Lib Dems would aim for a 90% reduction in the same timeframe.

Despite the overall positive stance towards net zero, Reform UK proposes to scrap net zero targets entirely within the first 100 days of Parliament, citing concerns over economic impact. 5D Net Zero struggle to accept this stance, due to the UK’s net zero economy growing 9% in 2023. Article from The Guardian here. Reform UK argues that the UK’s contribution to global emissions is relatively small and that unilateral actions may have limited effects on the overall climate change trajectory. In contrast, the remaining parties highlight the long-term economic, environmental, and social benefits of a net zero economy, focusing on green job creation, public health improvements, energy security, and global leadership.

Power

Wind as a renewable energy source for power generation is an accepted approach by many political parties. The Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrats, and Green Party all prioritise wind power and aim to expand its capacity as a key component of the UK’s energy strategy. SNP and Plaid Cymru parties look to source and manage their energy nationally, as part of their respective independence campaigns from the UK. Reform UK focuses on fast-tracking North Sea gas and oil licences – a component most political parties seek to eliminate. They also aim to develop small modular nuclear reactors and increase lithium mining.

Transport

Transport is another key area where policies vary. The transition from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles is a popular policy among the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Green Party, Plaid Cymru, and SNP, with each setting deadlines between 2030 and 2035. These parties also have a particular focus on the development of public transport.

Funding commitments

Funding allocations underscore the scale and ambition of each party’s policies. Please refer to the list below:

UK political parties present a wide array of policies and commitments to tackle climate change and transform the energy sector. While some parties, like Labour and the Green Party, emphasise aggressive renewable energy targets and substantial funding. The conservatives, however, still plan to maintain oil and gas licenses. Divergence in strategies reflects differing priorities and visions for the country’s future, offering voters distinct choices based on their values and concerns about climate change and energy security.

Conservatives: £36bn for local transport, £44bn for Network Rail (over five years), £6bn for energy efficiency (over three years).
Labour: £7.3bn incl. £500 million for green hydrogen and £1bn for carbon capture.
Liberal Democrats: No clear funding commitments but a focus on investing in education and training for the low-carbon economy and restoring international spending.
Green Party: £49bn (over five years) for home insulation and heating system adaptations. £4bn annually on skills training, and investments in renewable infrastructure.
Reform UK: Claims scrapping net zero policies could save over £30bn annually.
SNP: £62m Energy Transition Fund for oil and gas sectors, £15m for worker retraining, £24m Climate Justice Fund.
Plaid Cymru: £4bn additional funding for transport system improvements in Wales.

Find manifestos below for the political parties mentioned in this blog:

Conservative manifesto.
Labour manifesto.
Liberal Democrats manifesto.
SNP manifesto.
Plaid Cymru manifesto.
Green Party manifesto.
Reform UK manifesto.