Climate Change Matters

Are we doing enough to adapt to climate change?

No. The Liberal Democrats have a 7-point plan that needs to be acted on as soon as possible.

1) Significantly reduce emissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2045
Tackling the climate crisis needs significant structural change. Change how we travel, build, and produce goods and services. We need to cut today's emissions in half by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2045 at the latest. This is an achievable target; giving time for the country to mobilise and industry to adapt.

2) Generate 80% of electricity from renewables by 2030
We can do this by doubling our solar and wind capacity. The Liberal Democrats would invest in solar and wind technology and remove barriers for the construction of new farms. We also call for investment in tidal energy, a massively underutilised energy source in the United Kingdom.

3) Retrofit 26 million homes by 2030
Cut emissions from buildings by adding insulation, retrofitting 26 million homes by 2030 prioritising all fuel poor homes, retrofitting all of them by 2025. This will tackle the climate emergency and save money for families everywhere, cutting £550 of the average energy bill.

4) Plant 60 million trees a year
Planting trees is one of the most viable ways of removing carbon from the atmosphere and is vital for achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. Only 1,420 hectares of trees were planted in England in the year to March 2019, 71% short of the Conservative government's target of 5,000 hectares for the same period.

5) Build environmentally friendly new homes.
We will build homes that are future proof. Under our plan, every home built from 2021 will have to meet strict environmental standards.

6) Establish a new Department Against Climate Crisis.

7) Spend £100 billion on climate action

Serious climate action requires serious spending commitments.