Reactive to election of Boris Johnson as Conservative Party leader

Responding to the election of Boris Johnson as the new leader of the Conservative Party, Nick Molho, Executive Director of the Aldersgate Group, said: “The new Prime Minister will arrive at Downing Street with a significant to-do list, not least to avoid the significant negative environmental impacts that would be associated with a sudden, no-deal Brexit. Beyond Brexit, the UK’s new net zero target and the promise of a landmark Environment Bill is a welcome backdrop for this new administration. Boris Johnson now has the opportunity to deliver a significant and concrete step up in action across government and ensure the UK is on a credible path to achieving its environmental ambitions. We need to see the introduction of a suite of new policies that will drive affordable business investment in the green infrastructure required to tackle and adapt to climate change – particularly to deliver urgent emissions cuts in buildings and transport and complete the cost-effective decarbonisation of the power sector. This will also help strengthen the position of UK businesses as global leaders in the provision of low carbon and environmental technologies and services.”

Nick Molho added: “We look forward to seeing the Environment Bill introduced as early as possible in the next parliamentary session that sets in place an ambitious and robust legal framework to drive much needed improvements in our natural environment and increase the UK’s resilience to climate change. This should include the introduction of legally-binding targets in key areas such as air, water, soils, peatland, biodiversity and resource efficiency, and a fully independent Office for Environmental Protection.”