Coutinho: Tory Energy Plan to Increase UK Emissions

The Conservative Party’s approach to energy policy is under scrutiny as shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho acknowledges that carbon emissions could rise in the UK. This revelation comes as part of their plan to abolish net zero policies, which was a legal commitment established to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

Coutinho’s Assertions on Emissions

In a recent interview with the BBC’s Political Thinking podcast, Coutinho explained that the Conservative strategy would focus on reducing energy costs and enhancing the oil and gas sector in the North Sea. As part of this plan, the party intends to repeal the Climate Change Act of 2008 and eliminate carbon taxes on electricity generation.

Domestic vs. Global Emissions

Coutinho conceded that emissions may increase domestically under this initiative. However, she indicated that the global impact could be different. “Emissions would go up domestically, but I would argue not necessarily globally,” she stated, emphasizing concerns about the limitations of the Climate Change Act concerning territorial emissions.

• The Climate Change Act targets emissions within the UK borders.
• Imported emissions from products like gas and cement are not included in these calculations.

She highlighted that simply relocating emissions abroad does not solve the issue of climate change. Coutinho remarked, “If you don’t have aluminum in Britain, that’s great for the Climate Change Act. But it doesn’t make a bit of difference to global emissions.”

Contrasting Political Views

The Conservative viewpoint stands in stark contrast to plans proposed by the Labour Party, which aims for 95% of electricity demand to be met through clean power by 2030. Labour’s commitment includes a pledge to lower average energy bills by £300 by that date.

• Conservatives plan to focus on traditional energy sources.
• Labour prioritizes renewables and aims for significant emissions reductions.

Recent Climate Data

According to the Climate Change Committee (CCC), UK emissions have decreased significantly, being 50.4% lower in 2024 compared to 1990 levels. Despite this, a steady rise in imported emissions has been noted, reaching the highest levels since 2007.

Coutinho’s previous role as energy secretary in a prior Conservative government included strong advocacy for net zero initiatives. However, she described a personal evolution in her views, stating, “The more I got under the bonnet, the more I realized, actually, what we’re doing is counterproductive.”

Implications for Energy Policy

As debates continue over the best path for the UK’s energy future, criticism from Labour highlights a fear of returning to a reliance on fossil fuels. A Labour spokesperson emphasized the need for a clean energy mission backed by significant investments in renewables and nuclear power.

The growing divergence in energy strategies reflects broader tensions in UK politics regarding climate policy and economic considerations.