I agree with Emma
20th Jan 2025
At a recent hearing of the Net Zero and Energy Security Select Committee, the head of the CCC, Emma Pinchbeck, made the point that there is less attention on adaptation to climate change compared to measures such as EVs and heat pumps to mitigate it.
I agree with Emma. I’ve said it before and been prepared to take the flak for saying so. But it is important that Emma has made public her concerns too, she carries considerable influence with her role.
At the time these comments were made, snow falls and heavy rain meant red alerts for flooding were commonplace; a local emergency was declared in the East Midlands. I’ve seen, first hand, the utter misery of homes being flooded. I’ve also argued for and secured investment to prevent flooding. It can be done successfully. So, if climate change is going to bring more frequent storms and heavier downpours, sea levels to rise and in the same calendar year, we can expect hot spells and droughts, then adaptation measures are essential.
At some point, the victims of flooding and those at risk (as it is millions of UK residents) will ask government for help. Recent headlines suggest the government has little or no fiscal wriggle room. They will say sorry, can’t afford it. But if they carry on heavily subsidising climate mitigation, then I can guarantee there will be some very angry voters out there, genuinely fearful for their homes. They will be the likely prey of those who wish to see an end to net zero policy. They will be shown a double-decker bus with a large sum of money printed on the side saying, “vote for us and we won’t spend your money on net zero but on protecting your home.”
We know how that ends. So perhaps it’s time to start adapting to our changing climate, not accepting defeat in the quest to get to net zero, but protecting the vision, the ambition, but practically protecting homes, businesses and livelihoods.
Mike Foster
EUA's Chief Executive
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