Sir Tony Blair has issued a stark warning that current net zero strategies are “doomed to fail” unless governments pivot towards more pragmatic, technology-led solutions.
In the foreword to a new report from the Tony Blair Institute, titled The Climate Paradox, the former prime minister argues that the public is being asked to make financial and lifestyle sacrifices that have little impact on global emissions.
He contends that strategies focused on rapidly phasing out fossil fuels or limiting consumption are unrealistic and risk eroding public support for climate action.
“Though most people will accept that climate change is a reality caused by human activity, they’re turning away from the politics of the issue because they believe the proposed solutions are not founded on good policy,” Blair writes.
Blair criticises the current climate discourse as being “riven with irrationality” and dominated by alarmist narratives.
He emphasises that while the UK should play its part in addressing climate change, its efforts alone are insufficient, especially when global demand and production of fossil fuels continue to rise, driven by developing nations such as China and India.
The old climate playbook isn’t working. We need a political strategy that wins, and that ends the net-zero culture war. We need to rebuild public trust in climate policy, and for that, politicians need to start with showing the public they are listening – and delivering.
The debate needs to be taken out of the hands of campaigners and put in the hands of policymakers.
Tony Blair
Blair warns that without a shift towards practical and technologically driven solutions, there is a risk of provoking a public backlash that could derail climate action altogether. He urges policymakers to move beyond idealistic targets and focus on delivering tangible results that align with economic and social realities.
In particular he says carbon capture could allow us to tackle emissions while using fossil fuels.
We should put carbon capture – directly removing carbon as well as capturing it at source – at the centre of the battle. At present, carbon capture is not commercially viable despite being technologically feasible – but policy, finance and innovation would change this.
The disdain for this technology in favour of the purist solution of stopping fossil-fuel production is totally misguided.
The report calls for a reset of climate policies, advocating for the rapid deployment of carbon capture and storage technology, greater use of artificial intelligence to enhance energy grid efficiency and investment in small-scale nuclear reactors.
It also stresses the importance of adaptation measures, such as improved flood defences, to build resilience against the impacts of climate change.
The report has sparked debate within political circles, with some viewing Blair’s intervention as a challenge to current net zero commitments.
However, it also highlights the need for a balanced approach that combines ambition with pragmatism in the fight against climate change.
Downing Street said it would not be changing course on net zero – and rejected Sir Tony’s suggestions that the public was no longer prepared to make sacrifices to meet green goals.
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