The Net Zero Debate: bin it or back it?

For nearly two decades, net zero has sat at the heart of Britain’s policy agenda. Once framed as a clear moral imperative, it saw political parties promising to slash carbon emissions and ministers racing to position the UK as a leader on the international stage. But as economic pressures and global instability mount, that consensus is beginning to fray.

Recent shocks – from the pandemic to war-driven energy crises – have exposed the fragility of supply chains and the risks of overreliance on external energy sources. While renewables like wind and solar can supplement carbon fuels, they also raise questions around cost, subsidy and reliability. At the same time, drilling for oil in the North Sea is penalised. So where does this leave Britain? As a relatively small contributor to global emissions, is the UK leading the way in adopting net zero – or putting its own economic resilience at risk?

Join The Spectator on 20 May for a timely debate, which will see Richard Tice MP and energy expert Kathryn Porter go up against Bob Ward, of the influential Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, and Shahrar Ali, former deputy leader of the Green party. The Spectator’s assistant editor, Isabel Hardman, will chair.

Info: Isabel Hardman will introduce the debate and our speakers.

Info: Each debater will have roughly five minutes for their opening remarks.

Info: The floor is open for speakers to question each other.

Info: The speakers will have time to conclude their arguments before the audience vote.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Emmanuel Centre, 9-23 Marsham Street, London, United Kingdom

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