English Political Party Policies on Climate Change
You’ve likely heard of the Paris Climate Agreement, but most newspapers or TV news programs don’t go into more detail, on what it is, and why it matters. We see prime ministers and presidents fly around the world to talk about it. Let’s learn more about it, and what English political party policies are on it.
What is the Paris Climate Agreement?
All climate scientists say that climate change is real (and mostly caused by humans) and that the only way to stop irreversible and catastrophic change, is to reduce emissions by 45% by 2030 (and ‘net-zero’ by 2050) to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees C (the same as pre-industrial levels).
In order to do this, there must be a dramatic increase on climate action by governments, mostly to reduce fossil fuels (from transport, energy use and livestock factory farming). But this window is rapidly closing, as major countries continue to not listen to climate scientists.
The central promise of the Paris Agreement is to limit the average global temperature rise to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to keep it under 1.5°C.
Scientists agree that staying under these thresholds reduces the risks of severe droughts, floods, heatwaves, and sea level rise. This shared goal sets the direction for efforts worldwide.
Almost Every Country Signed Up
As of 2025, only three countries had not ratified the Paris Agreement, although President Trump has now also announced his attention to withdraw, which is presently going through, despite the USA being the world’s second largest emitter of planet-warming gases.
Reform UK plans to scrap Net Zero, so presumably would then become just one of five countries on the entire planet, not to honour the Paris Climate Agreement.
Locals in the Reform-run Kent county council have recently been aghast, after a summer of heatwaves and floods, that the council has taken back the council’s declaration of a climate emergency. All opposition parties said this was anti-science and dangerous.
The three countries waiting to be confirmed ratified are:
- Iran has signed the agreement, but won’t sanction it until economic sanctions are lifted. These have been put in place due to support for terrorism, nuclear and missile development programs, along with human rights abuses.
- Libya had not signed and ratified the Agreement, but it looks like now it is or just has, due to experiencing rising temperatures in one of the hottest areas of earth.
- Yemen again has not ratified the agreement, due to political arguments and conflict, but hopefully will soon.
Nationally Determined Contributions
Each country set its own climate action plan, called a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). These plans include targets to lower carbon emissions and details of how each nation aims to reach those targets. Individual countries review and submit updated plans every five years, making the process ongoing and keeping momentum.
The Paris Agreement does not force countries to hit specific carbon targets by law. Instead, it relies on transparency, regular reporting, and peer pressure to drive progress. Countries must report their greenhouse gas emissions and track actions, so everyone can see if promises turn into real results.
Support For Developing Countries
Low-income countries face the harshest effects of climate change but often lack the resources to respond. The agreement requires richer countries to provide funding and support for poorer nations.
This covers both cuts to emissions and help to adapt to new climate realities. The aim is a fairer spread of costs and benefits.
Scaling Up Climate Finance
One goal is for developed countries to mobilise at least $100 billion per year to help developing nations fight climate change. This money supports projects such as clean energy, better infrastructure, and new farming methods.
Getting this funding on track has been slow, but the target encourages more investment and action.
Political Party Policies on Paris Agreement
Environmental journalist George Monbiot does not hold out much hope for MPs, on the Paris Agreement:
Do they understand what they have signed? Plainly they do not. Governments not ratifying the Paris agreement on climate change, haven’t the faintest idea what it means. Either that, or they have no intention of honouring it. George Monbiot
Still, let’s have a look at what official party policies are of our main parties:
Conservative
It supports the legally-binding Net Zero by 2050. But is gradually watering this down, due to worries about affecting industry and the rise of Reform which does not acknowledge climate change science. It would ban new incinerators, but still wishes to issue new licenses to drill for oil in the North Sea.
Labour
It is becoming obsessed with blighting our country with offshore wind farms and more solar power, when of course the real solution is to reduce energy use through walkable communities, local food (driving pesticide-covered food from central distribution houses to 24-hour lit supermarkets driven by lorries uses a lot more fossil fuels than good town planning).
Lib Dems
It does take the issue more seriously, with a commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2050. It did approve new oil and gas drilling licenses, but thankfully appears now to have changed its mind, in line with Greens.
Greens
Has almost the same policies as the Lib Dems, with more action on insulating all homes, and has plans also to help tackle climate emissions in developing countries, essential to achieve the goal of reducing irreversible climate change.
Reform
Wants to scrap Net Zero completely, and increase the use of fossil fuels, for lower energy bills and ‘economic growth’. Their policies for the planet are seriously concerning, showing how other parties not addressing the genuine concerns over the boat crisis, has led barmpot politics to take over.
This party even said that England was warmer 2000 years ago to grow grapes in Yorkshire, so that’s okay then that we are hurtling to climatic catastrophe?
People in the USA are now terrified that polar bears could go extinct, as Donald Trump wants to drill their Arctic homes for more oil and gas. And like in the US, Reform is bankrolled by the very fossil fuel companies that we need to replace, to stop climate change.
What are Political Policies on Climate Change?
Reform UK and the Conservatives both have ripped up plans for action on climate change. But Labour policy of sticking wind turbines everywhere is also not the answer.
The solution is in less oil, through walkable communities, insulating old homes and organic food (pesticides use oil), and living simple sustainable lives.
For a mainstream political party to turn its back on the science in a desperate race because it threatens their profits, is political suicide. Friends of the Earth
Firefighters are having to battle both wildfires and floods. Farmers’ crop yields are hit by extreme drought and floods. We are running out of time. Yet Reform UK wish to scrap climate action. Campaign Against Climate Change
Either we prevent 1.5 degree (Celsius) of warming or we don’t. Either we avoid setting off that irreversible chain reaction beyond human control or we don’t. There are no grey areas when it comes to survival. Greta Thunberg
How a Boston Mayor is reducing climate change
The beautiful city of Boston in the USA (indeed named after settlers in the same-named town in Lincolnshire) has suffered like most cities, from severe flooding.
But rather than just ‘go with the flow’ and listen to climate deniers (like President Trump and his merry men), mayor Michelle Wu has created the country’s first Climate Resilience Plan for a city, which is having huge positive effects. And could also be used here, to prevent floods in England.
Some of the ideas being used include:
- Raising the Waterfront to Stop Flooding. Boston lies at the edge of the Atlantic, so tidal flooding and storm surges keep city planners on their toes. Parts of East Boston and South Boston now have higher parks and raised roads. The city uses plants and green spaces to soak up the extra water.
- Strong Building Codes for New Homes. New buildings must use stronger materials, sit above flood lines, and handle strong winds. This move makes new homes and offices safer when storms hit. These codes also ask for better insulation, strong windows, and backup power for lifts and lights.
- Public parks, gardens, and plants play a big part in Boston’s fight against climate change. The city plants trees in neighbourhoods short on shade and updates playgrounds and sports fields with better drainage. These changes reduce heat, clean the air, and manage rainwater.
- More Clean & Green Public Transport. The city replaces diesel buses with electric ones and adds more bike lanes and walking paths. Extra trains during busy hours help more people leave their cars at home. The city’s “Bluebikes” scheme lets anyone borrow a bike for quick trips.
A truly progressive green mayor
A Harvard graduate, Mayor Wu has won a second term, despite her rival spending millions of dollars. She has passed laws to protect wetlands, brought in a plastic bag ban (all while delaying her studies to care for her sick mother).
In a strong defence to her right-wing critics, Michelle a is a practicing Catholic, whose action on climate change is a response to Pope Francis’ call that it is a sacred duty to protect God’s planet.
Other Things Michelle Has Done as Mayor
- Diverted City funds from fossil fuels to a Community Choice Energy Program
- Secured funding for thousands of new jobs to protect Boston’s coastline.
- Doubled the number of Boston’s street trees each year.
- Offered free bus transport on some routes
- Improved family leave (both mothers and fathers)
- Given free entry to many museums for children
- Renovated 20 public parks
- Filled over 18,000 potholes!
