There has been much talk about net-zero emission targets over recent weeks.
It has been accepted that net zero must be achieved to combat climate change.
The question is how quickly the country can attain this target. Some aim for 2030, others push back to 2050.
The reality is that net zero has to be achieved as quickly as possible - the world is in a climate and biodiversity crisis.
It is not some sort of lifestyle choice that can be put off until it can it is affordable.
Several politicians have been elected around the world to positions of power who are in total denial about the climate emergency. Not least among these is US President Donald Trump.
At home, his British equivalents are Reform UK. They also campaign against net zero, despite the scientific data that says otherwise.
There seems to be a growing campaign against net zero, led by Reform and much of the Tory Party. Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair seems to be a recent convert.
The campaign resembles much of the nonsense we were sold about Brexit.
There needs to be a push back against this onslaught.
The Labour government has done some excellent things to advance efforts to attain net zero. The expansion of the renewable energy sector and encouraging different forms of energy generation.
The government seems to see the potential in the lucrative green economy, sustainable growth and saving the planet
Environment secretary Steve Reed has pointed out that the expansion of these sustainable forms of energy makes the country less dependent on outside sources. The impact of the war in Ukraine on energy and food prices shows how important this consideration is.
The challenge moving forward is how much quicker net zero can be attained, locally too. Things need to move more quickly.
Why is so much time being wasted even discussing something vital to human survival?
Time was wasted before discussing whether climate and biodiversity destruction were happening. This cannot happen again, we must accelerate the transformation to net zero, not hide in denial.
- Paul Donovan is Labour councillor for Wanstead Village ward, Redbridge Council and a blogger (paulfdonovan.blogspot.com).
