In the face of serious environmental challenges, the United Kingdom is leading the global charge in tackling climate change and restoring nature.
Conservatism and environmentalism are intrinsically linked. To be conservative is to safeguard, nurture, and pass on a richer inheritance to future generations. Despite how the media depicts conservatism, our actions tell the true story.
The Conservative Party has set ambitious net zero targets and developed robust plans to rejuvenate our nation’s landscapes. We’ve invested significantly in renewable energy, cutting-edge green technologies, and committed to reducing emissions, transforming our economy, and inspiring nations worldwide. We have reduced our emissions by 50% and increased renewable energy on our electricity from 7% to over 50% since 2010.
This isn’t a fluke, or because of environmental radicals glueing themselves to major motorways. It’s the result of reducing our dependence on damaging fuels and boosting our use of biofuels, renewables, and nuclear energy.
The Conservative Party has always supported rural communities, and farmers. They are the stewards of our natural environment. The Conservative Party manifesto pledged to protect the farm budget in real terms over the next parliament, as suggested in CEN’s ten-point plan ‘Taking root’, to support farmers as they transition to more nature-friendly practices and boost their long-term productivity.
Compare this to the Labour Party’s approach. In contrast, their manifesto made no pledge on farm budgets. Yes, we do need to get Britain building, particularly important infrastructure. But a too aggressive approach which dismisses local communities' concerns sacrifices net zero enthusiasm for short-term gains.
Economic growth and environmental responsibility marry under conservatism. The future where our children can enjoy the same natural beauty we have cherished, where innovation drives us to a greener economy, is one under conservatism.
The Labour Party says that their manifesto is based on change, including that of the climate. Labour need more depth to their policies. On cleaning our rivers, they are simply posturing with increasing fines, but have no further plans to improve the health of our rivers. The Conservative Party has been working with water companies and environmental groups to ensure our waterways are protected, balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship.
It is crystal clear to me that Labour is myopic and economically damaging. Grand promises are only empty rhetoric. It is time for Green Conservatives to speak up and act.
Views expressed in this blog are those of the author, not necessarily those of the Conservative Environment Network. 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
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