Reform UK plans a complete reversal of the UK's long-standing climate policies, including abandoning the net-zero target. This is underpinned by a deep skepticism of established climate science, with deputy leader Richard Tice dismissing the IPCC's findings and the scientific consensus on human-caused global warming.
The party advocates for an 'every last drop' approach to domestic energy, promoting maximum exploitation of North Sea oil and gas and the introduction of fracking for shale gas. The core argument is that using national resources enhances energy security, keeps wealth within the UK, and lowers costs for consumers.
Tice argues that spending trillions on mitigating climate change (net-zero) is a futile and impoverishing exercise for the UK. He proposes focusing instead on 'sensible adaptation' measures like flood defenses, claiming this is a far cheaper and more practical approach, though he provides no cost analysis.
Reform UK's pledge to cancel already-awarded offshore wind licenses and tax existing renewable assets introduces extreme uncertainty for investors. Tice justifies this by stating the party has been upfront about its intentions, but it challenges the principle of long-term contractual stability essential for major infrastructure projects.
Keep pulling the thread on Richard Tice.