Environmentalism is a core conservative principle; don't let the left make you think otherwise.

There is a common misconception that conservatism and environmentalism are contradictory. Some view it as an oxymoron. Many have been misled by media narratives, and many have been fooled by the left co-opting environmentalism relatively recently. This myth is reinforced by left wing media and is then projected further by Instagram warriors and the Extinction Rebellion type who would rather clog up a motorway (and therefore increase localised emissions) than do anything meaningful for the environment. Moreover, a push back from aggressive decarbonisation from many in the Conservative Party is misconceived as anti- environmentalism and is taken devoid of nuance and context.

Aalhad Kulkarni | Next Gen CEN

However at its core, conservatism has always carried within it a deep respect for nature. Edmund Burke, the father of modern conservative thought, described society as an intergenerational contract. That is the essence of environmental responsibility, of stewardship. Burke also warned of exploiting the earth, the equal mother to all, to satisfy greed and vanity. Conservatives understand that protecting the natural world is therefore not a progressive idea but an ingrained duty.

History proves this. Take Benjamin Disraeli’s 1876 River Pollution Prevention Act. Disraeli laid out a foundation for the future by aiming to tackle industrial and sewage pollution in the Thames which would tackle the environmental issues and public health crises of the time. Then came Anthony Eden’s Clean Air Act of 1956 which was set to tackle the severe air pollution in London. The act came as a response to the Great Smog of 1952 and significantly restricted the burning of coal through the creation of Smokeless Zones. Financial grants were offered to families in order to ease the burden of adapting coal fireplaces. Margaret Thatcher was also a great champion of environmentalism. Examples of legislation include the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act, the 1990 Environmental Protection Act, and of course, the role Thatcher played in international cooperation that led to the successful adoption of the 1987 Montreal Protocol to protect the Ozone layer.

Today that legacy continues. The Conservatives have a strong track record of using market- based approaches in green sectors, such as Contracts for Difference. These policies incentivise private investment (over £54 billion unlocked in private investment since 2014), drive down the cost of renewables (a 70% reduction from 2015 to 2022), and allow the UK to decarbonise faster than other comparable economies without sacrificing economic growth and consumer freedoms. 

By contrast, the left’s approach to environmentalism focuses on decreasing demand, restricting choice and bulldozing over community concerns. A stark example of this is the current Labour government's planning reforms. Their hardline approach risks alienating communities' support especially for the energy transition vital to protect our environment for future generations. Their proposed energy bills discount is only a quarter of that recommended under the previous Conservative government and is fundamentally unfair as it only applies to those near new transmission infrastructure such as pylons. The government has failed to offer this same discount to  those near new generation infrastructure, like wind and solar farms. A true conservative environmentalist plan places pragmatism, fairness, and communities at its heart.

Never has there been a more important time to advocate for a positive, conservative approach to protect our environment. Don't let the left’s mischaracterisations obscure the truth. Environmentalism is a timeless conservative duty - not an invention of the left. 

---

If you are a CEN supporter, councillor, or parliamentarian and would like to write for the CEN blog, please email your idea to info@cen.uk.com.