The Conservatives need tangible policies to address climate change and nature loss

The Conservatives' conference in Manchester this weekend will be a pivotal moment for the party and its green policy agenda, writes Max Anderson from the Conservative Environment Network

Max Anderson | Head of Communications

The Conservatives' Conference will be a pivotal moment for the party, with many hoping that Kemi Badenoch will build on a month of effective opposition with some concrete policy announcements.

However, whether because of the environment's electoral importance, the need to demonstrate economic competence, or to tackle the root causes of energy insecurity and rising bills, the Conservatives will need tangible policies to address climate change and nature loss.

Unfortunately, many on the right now associate even conservative environmentalism as left-wing, leaving many sceptical of how the agenda can fit into their individual plans to restore true conservatism.

But what many of these conservatives - and indeed many environmentalists  - forget is that different approaches to the environment are possible.

Therefore, if Kemi Badenoch wants to return the Conservative Party to its roots and build a strong electoral message underpinned by meaningful action to tackle Britain's most pressing environmental challenges, she should look back on generations of Conservative leaders who took bold action on the environment.

And that is what CEN plans to do at conference this year. Through our three campaigns, we will remind conservatives of the significant environmental legacy left to us by previous leaders and thinkers, as well as providing the intellectual framework for creating authentically conservative policies to drive forward nature restoration and climate action.

Our first campaign, ‘Returning to our roots', is inspired by the publication of our essay collection with the same name earlier this month. It draws on the wisdom of conservative philosophers - from Edmund Burke to Roger Scruton - to re-establish the link between conservatives and their environmental beliefs.

In particular, it reminds conservatives of their commitment to intergenerational responsibility by protecting and improving what previous generations have handed down to us to pass on to the next, a prudent use of our resources, and a respect for the power of nature.

I would urge all BusinessGreen followers to read the essay collection, which brings together domestic bigwigs like James Cleverly, Michael Gove, and Victoria Prentis as well as global conservative lawmakers and thought-leaders from Italy, Australia, and beyond.

In keeping with conservatives' instinctive love for the natural world, our Monday campaign is ‘Restore nature, recover England,' again inspired by a recent CEN publication 'Paradise Regained'.

The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. As the party that has historically stood up for our natural inheritance, rural communities, and farmers, this should be extremely disconcerting.

But to save our green and pleasant land, fundamental change is needed. Whether it is our approach to agriculture, water pollution, development, or wildlife, regulation is failing to deliver for growth or nature. Paradise Regained calls for a new strategy that taps into national pride of nature restoration, empowers the stewards of the countryside, such as farmers, to conserve nature on their land, fundamentally reforms and streamlines regulation to put outcomes ahead of outputs, and unleashes private finance to end Defra's overreliance on public funding.

Tuesday brings an end to CEN's campaigns with our ‘Say no to socialism: Make climate action conservative again'.

The debate on climate change has become deeply polarised. Most might think all the blame should be on Farage. He certainly is irresponsible for downplaying the seriousness of climate risks and undermining private investment in clean energy.

But there are two sides to what has now disappointingly become a culture war. Although every environmentalist should recognise Miliband's ambition and intentions, his policies have alienated many from climate action.

GB Energy has increased the burden on over-stretched taxpayers, whilst crowding out private finance that is already comfortable investing in renewables.

The Clean Power target threatens to damage competition in a rush to hit the 2030 deadline, whilst causing agitation for local communities who feel their concerns are being overlooked.

It will lead to higher electricity prices, which will in turn undermine the take up of EVs and heat pumps that are critical for decarbonisation.

Although Miliband's approach has fundamental problems, Reform's bans on clean technologies, higher energy taxes, and requirements to put pylons underground are unserious, and will ultimately push up bills, undermine national security and be detrimental to growth.

So a credible and pragmatic alternative is essential.

CEN's ‘Say no to socialism: Make climate action conservative again' will remind conservatives at conference that they can fill the void. Reject over-bearing statism and unnecessary red tape, and instead let private finance take the lead to bring the growth and lower energy bills that voters crave.

If you are in Manchester for this year's Conservative Party Conference, I hope you come to our stand in support of our campaigns or attend some of our packed events schedule.

But most importantly, I hope you go with not only a better understanding of the principles underpinning conservative environmentalism, but with a belief that there are many conservatives still deeply committed to leaving a better world for our children.

First published by BusinessGreen. Max Anderson is Head of Communications for the Conservative Environment Network.