The political battle for net zero is only just beginning

This may come to be remembered as the year where the global warming debate became serious. Until now, there has been a shrill quality to the discussion with emotive language used in place of reason. Yes, there’s a serious problem facing the planet – but to what extent would the proposed solutions address this problem? What are the trade offs involved? How does decarbonisation rub up against other obligations, like alleviating cost-of-living pressures and protecting the elderly from the cold?

Deadlines that once seemed far away – like the 2030 ban on new petrol cars – are now getting rather close and focusing minds. The public certainly are concerned about the environment, as evidenced by consumer choices and behaviours, but they are unwilling to be taken for fools. 

So when Sadiq Khan talks about ‘the air quality crisis’, people may ask: is this the same country where nitrogen oxide levels have fallen by 77 per cent, PM10 by 79 per cent, PM2.5