Politicians and scientists join forces for Net Zero solutions ahead of COP26

With the UK hosting COP26 in November, the Government urgently needs to align domestic policy with our global climate commitments. The Net Zero Strategy, due before COP26, offers a vital opportunity to do this.

As Greta Thunberg reminds us, when it comes to the climate crisis we must listen to the science. This essay collection is a triumph of blending politics and science: politicians working with academics to understand not just climate science but the science of the political solutions.

Voices across the political spectrum and from a range of leading UK universities come together in this unique collection of essays. Each is co-written by an academic and a Parliamentarian and sets out the areas where work is still needed on climate policy while also demonstrating how readily to hand many political and technical solutions are. It showcases the strength of UK science and research and the level of cross-party support for climate action.

 “The APPG on Climate Change was founded to coincide with the passing of the 2008 Climate Change Act – a vote that achieved almost unanimous support from across the political spectrum. As current Chair of the APPG on Climate Change, I see great value in striving to maintain and build upon this cross-party consensus where possible. We won’t all agree on the necessary course of action in each sector. And we may not even agree on the speed or scale with which it is necessary to reduce emissions. But we share a common conviction that the climate crisis is a challenge that can and must be surmounted. Deeper engagement between parliamentarians and the scientific community is a vital step in ensuring that we do. It is in that spirit that I fully endorse the work that has gone into producing this collection of essays.” – Caroline Lucas MP

“There has never been a more urgent need to work together for net zero than as the world comes together for COP26. In rising to the challenge we need solutions that work for everyone in our societies.” – Dr Jo Hale, UCL

“With the Net Zero Strategy and COP26 fast approaching, the government has an important opportunity to set out deliverable policies to meet our climate targets. This collection draws together the strength of UK science and research – an invaluable asset in our fight against the climate crisis – with UK policymakers, detailing the areas where work is still needed on climate policy and demonstrating the many solutions that are readily to hand.” – Dr Jake Ainscough, formerly Policy Connect, now University of Lancaster

We are grateful to Manchester Metropolitan University, Durham University, Imperial College London, the University of Leeds, the University of Sheffield, the University of Warwick, the UKRI Natural Environment Research Council and UCL Public Policy for their sponsorship of this project.