Aldersgate Group reaction: Conservative Party announcement on replacing the Climate Change Act

Rachel Solomon Williams, Executive Director, Aldersgate Group said: “The Climate Change Act has been widely welcomed by businesses across the economy and hailed as good practice internationally. Over nearly two decades, it has successfully provided a consistent signal, driving innovation and enabling businesses to invest in the UK with confidence. The Act does not dictate how targets must be met, and has placed no requirements on consumers. At this economically turbulent time, further legislative change would undermine that confidence, compromising the UK’s credibility as a place to do business.

“Climate change poses a real and present threat to businesses, communities and nature. Tackling it is necessary to ensure future business resilience, protect supply chains and keep costs for consumers down. The UK can also harness huge economic opportunities by leading the transition, and protect ourselves from future energy shocks by enhancing our home-grown clean energy supply. Removing the Act would offer no benefits to the public or to business, while putting jobs, investment and energy security at risk.”