Former Prime Minister Theresa May has pushed back against claims that the UK’s net zero target is “impossible,” insisting that it remains both necessary and achievable.
Debate Over UK’s Climate Commitment
The UK’s legally binding goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050, introduced by Theresa May during her tenure as Prime Minister, has come under renewed scrutiny. Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch recently described the target as “impossible” without causing a drop in living standards or economic harm.
However, Lady May rejected this claim, stating on social media that the target is “supported by the scientific community and backed by the independent Climate Change Committee as being not just necessary but feasible and cost-effective.”
She warned that delaying action on climate change would increase both economic and social costs, highlighting the growing impact of global warming, from extreme weather events to disrupted supply chains and climate-induced migration.
Political Divide on Net Zero
Kemi Badenoch, who is leading the Conservative Party’s policy renewal process, argued that it was time to “get real” about net zero and suggested that setting a specific date may have been a mistake.
“Why is it 2050 in the first place? No-one knows,” she said, adding that her team will work with experts to explore more achievable solutions for delivering clean and affordable energy.
Badenoch has tasked shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho with leading this review, aiming to find ways to reduce reliance on fossil fuels without imposing high costs on businesses and households. She also criticised the current approach, claiming the net zero agenda has been “hijacked by zealots.”
Industry Experts Defend Net Zero Target
Despite Badenoch’s scepticism, many industry experts and environmental groups insist that reaching net zero is not only possible but essential for economic growth and energy security.
Sam Hall, director of the Conservative Environment Network, warned that abandoning the target could undermine investment in the UK’s clean energy sector. “The target is based not on wishful thinking, but the scientific imperative of stopping the worsening impacts of climate change and preventing unaffordable costs,” he said.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) also criticised Badenoch’s stance, stating that she is “ignoring the evidence” that the net zero sector is growing faster than the rest of the economy.
Meanwhile, Energy UK’s chief executive Dhara Vyas pointed out that it is the volatile cost of fossil fuels, not the net zero transition, that has caused energy bills to rise in recent years. She urged the government to have “honest conversations” about how to fund the transition in a fair way for both households and businesses.
What This Means for UK Households
With political uncertainty around the net zero target, UK households remain in need of practical support to reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint. Government-backed schemes are available to help eligible homeowners access free energy-saving upgrades, including insulation and renewable energy systems.
✅ Call Energy Advice Helpline for free on 0800 802 1869
✅ Complete our short eligibility checker to see if you qualify for free home energy improvements
