Populist and rightwing figures from around the world gathered at an 'anti-woke Davos' event to attack Ed Miliband, the UK's climate secretary, and the country's net zero policies. The two-day summit, held in London, was organised by the Global Warming Policy Foundation, a climate-sceptic thinktank, and featured speakers including former US president Donald Trump's strategist Steve Bannon, Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, and Australian politician Clive Palmer.
Criticism of Net Zero Policies
Speakers called for a halt to net zero policies, which they described as 'catastrophic' and 'anti-growth'. Ed Miliband was a particular target, with Bannon accusing him of 'destroying the British economy' with his 'radical green agenda'. Farage claimed that net zero policies were 'unaffordable' and would lead to 'deindustrialisation'. The event, which was also addressed by former UK environment secretary Owen Paterson, aimed to create a 'counter-narrative' to the mainstream climate consensus.
Impact on UK Climate Agenda
The attacks come as the UK government faces increasing pressure to water down its net zero commitments. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has already delayed several key policies, including the ban on new petrol and diesel cars. According to a recent poll, public support for net zero has fallen, with only 54% of Britons now backing the target, down from 67% in 2021. The event's organisers hope to capitalise on this shift, with the Global Warming Policy Foundation's director, Dr Benny Peiser, stating: 'The tide is turning against the net zero dogma.'
Response from Climate Advocates
Climate advocates have condemned the event. A spokesperson for the UK Climate Change Committee said: 'The science is clear: net zero is essential to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. These attacks are based on misinformation and are deeply irresponsible.' Ed Miliband himself dismissed the summit, saying: 'This is a gathering of climate deniers and conspiracy theorists. Their ideas would leave future generations to pay the price for our inaction.'
International Context
The 'anti-woke Davos' is part of a broader international pushback against climate action. In the US, Republican-led states have launched legal challenges to the Biden administration's climate rules, while in Australia, the government has faced criticism for its slow progress on emissions reduction. Clive Palmer, who has previously called climate change a 'hoax', told the summit: 'We need to stand up to the green elite who want to control our lives.' The event also featured representatives from Brazil and Poland, who argued that net zero policies would harm developing economies.
Conclusion
The summit highlights the growing polarisation over climate policy in the UK and beyond. With the next general election looming, the government is caught between the demands of climate activists and the pressure from populist figures. The outcome of this battle will have significant implications for the UK's ability to meet its legally binding net zero target by 2050.
