As Reform UK gains traction in the polls, it’s clear that its message is resonating with a growing number of people — particularly around the sense that mainstream politics has become detached from everyday concerns. One area where Reform has struck a chord is on Net Zero. They are right to question whether the current approach is working. They are right to ask whether ordinary people and businesses can really afford to make the leap when many of the technologies feel out of reach, and the language is confusing. These are fair questions. But with growing influence comes growing responsibility — and this is where Reform has a real opportunity to lead.
Net Zero, as a concept, is not easy to grasp. It’s technical, often presented in abstract terms, and has become politicised to the point of confusion. Many people understandably react with scepticism — if electric vehicles are still expensive, if heat pumps don’t work for every home, if emissions targets feel like finger-wagging from Brussels or Westminster, then it’s no surprise the public switches off. Reform has tapped into this frustration. But the danger is that, in doing so, we risk throwing out the mission alongside the messaging.
The fact is that climate change is real, and human activity is a major contributor. The scientific consensus on this is overwhelming — with studies showing that 97% of actively publishing climate scientists agree that global warming is caused primarily by human activities (Cook et al., 2013; NASA)¹. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stated unequivocally that the warming observed since the mid-20th century is “extremely likely” to be due to human influence². Even when accounting for natural drivers like volcanic eruptions or changes in solar radiation, these alone cannot explain the rapid rise in global temperatures.
The data is stark. According to the UK Met Office and NASA, 2023 was the hottest year on record globally, and the past nine years have been the nine warmest since records began³. Greenhouse gas concentrations are now at their highest levels in at least 800,000 years, and the world is warming at a pace unprecedented in the context of human civilisation⁴.
To suggest otherwise, as Nigel Farage has done in the past, may appeal to a certain contrarian instinct, but it is not a credible or responsible basis for policy.
That includes younger voters, who consistently rank climate change as one of the most important issues of our time. It also includes potential voters from across the political spectrum — for example, recent polling shows that over 80% of Labour voters support the UK’s 2050 Net Zero target. If Reform is serious about becoming a viable governing party, it needs to adopt a more pragmatic approach to climate policy — one that recognises the scale of the challenge, but also the scale of the opportunity.
Reform may well be right that Net Zero, as it stands, isn’t working. Even Tony Blair has said as much. But the answer isn’t to walk away from the challenge — it’s to evolve towards an approach that works better, faster, and fairer. We need a version of climate policy that is transparent, grounded in innovation, and above all, achievable. And this is where Reform could lead.
After all, what better platform than one that champions British ingenuity, enterprise, and self-determination? Clean energy and green innovation represent one of the greatest economic opportunities of our time. From AI-driven energy systems to electric vehicles, circular economy models, and smart infrastructure — there is huge potential for Britain to lead the world. These sectors are growing, attracting investment, and creating high-quality jobs. If Reform wants to celebrate Britain’s potential, this is the space to do it.
The challenge is not whether we should act — it’s how we do so in a way that makes sense to people, supports businesses, and avoids punishing those who are least able to pay. It’s not about “zero tomorrow” — it’s about taking credible, forward-thinking steps toward a future that is cleaner, more resilient, and economically vibrant. And yes, if the term “Net Zero” has become too loaded, then let’s reframe it. But let’s not lose sight of the goal.
Reform has the chance to redefine the climate debate — not by denying the problem, but by owning the solution. It’s time to stop treating sustainability as someone else’s agenda, and start making it a British success story. That’s a vision voters can get behind — and one the country urgently needs.