Response to International Development Select Committee's inquiry into UK aid for combating climate change

Bright Blue’s written evidence submission to the International Development Select Committee’s inquiry into UK aid for combating climate change has been published online.

In the submission, we refer to research contained in our report Saving global nature, which called upon the Government to divert more of the international aid budget towards nature conservation. Many of the measures we proposed the international aid budget being spent on could also help to mitigate climate change - such as reforestation.

Read the full submission here.

Wilf Lytton: Approaching zero hour: Time for the UK to go carbon-neutral

Our Senior Researcher, Wilf Lytton, has written for BusinessGreen about the case for Britain to act now, with further, ambitious targets for climate action. In his article, Wilf states that previous climate change legislation, such as the Climate Change Act 2008, actually provided an impetus to the economy - creating new jobs, and saving consumers money.

Here’s an excerpt:

Ten years on, this law has proven to be hugely successful not only in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, but also in generating jobs and clean growth across the country which otherwise could not have occurred. The UK is now, for example, a global leader in wind turbine development, and manufactures and supplies Europe with the world's best-selling electric vehicle.

Read the full article here.

Over 130 MPs call on Prime Minister to adopt net zero emission goal

Our Senior Researcher, Wilf Lytton, has been quoted in an article on BusinessGreen.

Specifically, Wilf was referenced the polling results included in our recent report, Hotting up, which showed the high levels of public support for further climate action from the Government.

Read the full article here.

The case for spending aid budget on conservation to save planet

Our Senior Associate Fellow, Ben Caldecott, has written a piece for the Yorkshire Post on our latest report, Saving global nature: greening UK Official Development Assistance. In his article, Ben explains how our report calls for nature to become a key filter when allocating UK international aid. 

Here's an excerpt:

Habitat loss, the erosion of ecosystem services, climate change, and pollution are exacerbating poverty and erasing – or increasing the fragility of – development gains around the world. Protecting and restoring nature is essential for securing genuinely sustainable development, particularly in the poorest countries.
 

Read the full article here.

Britain once led the world in fighting climate change. We should reclaim that mantle

Our Head of Research, Sam Hall, has written for Telegraph Refresh about our latest report, Hotting up. In his article, Sam states that the UK should establish a leading and international net-zero alliance to reclaim its status as a global champion on climate change mitigation. 

Here's an excerpt:

To drive deeper decarbonisation, the Government should, therefore, enshrine in law a new net-zero greenhouse gas emission target. The Government should ask the CCC to advise on an appropriate date for achieving net-zero greenhouse emissions, so that the UK can make an equitable contribution to meeting the Paris Agreement’ 1.5°C goal.

Read the full article here.

How to build a clean, green economy

Our Researcher, Philip Box, has written for CapX about our latest report, Hotting up. 

Philip makes the case for deeper decarbonisation of Britain, and sets out how it could be achieved in the agricultural, energy, and transport sectors. He also cites Bright Blue's polling, which shows, amongst other things, that 64% of UK adults think Britain should cut its carbon emissions to zero in the coming decades, and that 63% agreed that the UK should be a global leader in tackling climate change.

Here's an excerpt: 

The UK should enshrine in law a new net zero emissions target in line with the Paris Agreement. This target would provide clarity to businesses and the public on the UK’s long-term ambition for decarbonisation and would strengthen the low-carbon economy, which is already experiencing above average growth.

Read the full article here.

Hotting up: Government urged to lead G7 in embracing net zero target

Our latest report, Hotting up, has been covered in an article on BusinessGreen. Our Head of Research, Sam Hall, was quoted saying that the "Conservative government has another opportunity to lead by making the UK the first G7 country to enshrine in law a net zero emissions target". 

Conservative MP, Simon Clarke, was also quoted saying that "the scientific, technological and legal case for the UK to establish a net zero target is so strong ... Bright Blue are right: the time to put net zero into law has come".

Read the full article here. 

Britain lobbies for right to host 2020 climate meeting

Bright Blue's polling on younger voters' attitudes towards policy issues which they would like to hear senior politicians talk more about was referenced in an article in the Financial Times. 

Leslie Hook writes that the "UK government has accelerated its green agenda since a poll conducted for the Tories last year found that climate change was the issue voters between the ages of 18 and 28 wanted politicians to prioritise more."

Read the full article.

How the UK could lead the Commonwealth on climate change

Our Head of Research, Sam Hall, has written for ConservativeHome on how the UK could lead the Commonwealth on climate change. In his article, Sam praised the Government for positioning itself towards adopting a net zero target for carbon emissions. 

Citing Bright Blue polling, Sam also referenced the fact that when asked how quickly the UK should cut its emissions relative to other countries, a large majority of UK adults (90%) believe the UK should cut its emissions at least as quickly as other countries.

Read the full article here.

UK emissions are falling fast. Now the country might try for zero

Bright Blue's polling on British attitudes towards a cutting carbon emissions to net zero within the next few decades was featured on Vox. 

In our polling, we found that most people support the UK demonstrating international leadership on tackling climate and see economic benefits from doing so. The polling also revealed that there was significant support for cutting the UK's carbon emissions to zero, as the Minister of State for Clean Growth and Energy, the Rt Hon Claire Perry MP, hinted at this week. 

Read the full article here.

The UK needs a political revival - Could the environment hold the key to a centrist resurgence?

Bright Blue's polling on political priorities amongst British voters was covered in an article on BusinessGreen.

It referenced how climate change was the number one issue which 18-24 year old voters felt senior politicians did not discuss enough.

Read the full article here.

Claire Perry to instruct Committee on Climate Change to scope net zero goal

Our Head of Research, Sam Hall, has been quoted in an article on BusinessGreen in response to the announcement made by the Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth, the Rt Hon Claire Perry MP, that the United Kingdom should explore tighter carbon controls and a goal of having net zero carbon emissions. Our polling, which showed that 64% of UK adults agree the UK should aim to cut its emissions to zero over the next few decades was also cited.

Sam said that by "adopting a net zero target, the government is therefore seizing a great opportunity to appeal to key younger voters without trading off existing voters". 

Read the full article here.

Climate change latest: UK becomes first developed economy to examine Paris agreement commitments

Bright Blue's polling on British attitudes towards a cutting carbon emissions to net zero within the next few decades was featured in an article by the Independent. 

In our polling, we found that most people support the UK demonstrating international leadership on tackling climate and see economic benefits from doing so. The polling also revealed that there was significant support for cutting the UK's carbon emissions to zero, as the Minister of State for Clean Growth and Energy, the Rt Hon Claire Perry MP, hinted at this week. 

Read the full article here.