🌱 The Grumpy Optimists #33
Will the UK ever reach net zero? Not on their latest plans.
Happy Monday all and welcome to another week! 👋
We’re into the final week before COP26 kicks off in Glasgow. As expectation builds, challenges are mounting as Putin publicly pulls out of attending and high energy prices around the globe continue to be a major talking point. We’ll keep you updated with the events from COP26.
This week we look at the UK government’s net zero strategy and whether it is actually enough to cut emissions (probably not), how there is a rise in the media trying to derail climate action and whether Coldplay’s new green tour is all Green or all Greenwashing.
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👀 Articles to read
🇬🇧 UK government sets net zero strategy, but is it enough? This week the UK released their strategy to reach net zero with a big push in electric vehicles, £5,000 grants for heat pumps to replace boilers and more innovative solutions like hydrogen and modular nuclear plants. Critics say that the plans don't go far enough. We would have to agree.
💷 The anti climate action media. The media plays an important role in how we understand climate change. This makes it all the more worrying that some journalists (mainly the Telegraph, Sun and Times) are increasingly looking to talk about net zero as expensive, questionable and an eco-hell. We're all for climate action and protecting poor households, but the narrative that climate action is something we can't afford is dangerous. The thread by Dr Aaron Thierry below does a better job of explaining than we can. 👇
💻 Google bans ads on climate misinformation. From bad news to good as Google bans ads on climate misinformation, making it harder to profit from climate denial.
🎤 Viva la Planet. Coldplay announced their new world tour will be one of the most sustainable ever. The band aim to cut emissions by 50% through initiatives like efficient flights, renewable energy, discounts for attendees who get public transport and many more. We're quick to call out greenwashing, but this is a thorough plan that sets the precedent for music artists.
🧐 Why is Australia so reluctant to phase out coal? Australia's economy is built around its role as a major coal exporter, which is why the country has repeatedly failed to take climate change seriously and commit to emissions reduction targets. As we near COP26, this is a really good insight into how nation-states often see climate change as a trade-off with their own interests, and therefore why these global climate conferences often end with underwhelming results.
🇬🇧 Large UK firms will need to disclose climate impact. Some UK firms will now need to start disclosing their environmental impact, including pension plans and investment products. Companies will have to set out their sustainability claims and net zero transitions in a bid to stop greenwashing and create better climate finance. New Zealand set similar laws on banks this week too.
Things we're loving this week
🌱 As COP26 gets closer, our friends at following the footprints have put together the best events that you can attend for free. Check out their newsletter and all the events here.
🛢️ Joe Lycett Vs the Oil Giant. On Sunday night, the comedian Joe Lycett brilliantly took on Shell on Channel 4, exposing them for their greenwashing campaigns. He also works with artist Darren Cullen who is both bloody hilarious and smart - check out his Instagram here.
😃 Pique Action is a climate solutions media company that aims to stop doom scrolling and start thinking about solutions. Sounds right up our street, we’re excited to watch the stories they cover.
Feel free to send us your ideas for what we should cover and leave a comment below. Have a great week!
The Grumpy Optimists. 💚