Greenlash: Understanding Climate Change Opposition

<p>If two thirds of the public believe climate change is real, support renewables, and want government action… why does it feel like net zero is suddenly on shaky ground?</p><p>At February’s Earth Set Live, we took on one of the most consequential shifts in the transition right now: the rise of climate opposition inside mainstream politics.</p><p>This was a serious look at what’s actually driving the backlash. Energy bills. Industrial decline. Security fears. Media narratives. Political realignment.</p><p>Fiona Howarth was joined by:</p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-shore-97467358/?originalSubdomain=uk" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Luke Shore</a>, Deputy CEO at <a href="https://projecttempo.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Project Tempo</a></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexxscarr/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Alex Carr,</a> Deputy Director at <a href="https://www.catf.us/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Clean Air Task Force (CATF)</a></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-hall-617a8436/?originalSubdomain=uk" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Sam Hall</a>, Director of the <a href="http://www.cen.uk.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Conservative Environment Network</a></p><p>Together, they unpacked what’s really happening beneath the headlines.</p><p><strong>In this episode you’ll learn:</strong></p><ul><li>Why public belief in climate change remains high — but urgency has slipped behind cost of living pressures</li><li>How energy prices became the fault line in UK climate politics</li><li>Why “net zero” polls worse than “climate action” — and what that means for communication</li><li>What’s behind the growing divide between Conservative voters and Conservative leadership</li><li>Whether Clean Power 2030 is a strategic masterstroke or a political vulnerability</li><li>The industrial trilemma facing Europe: decarbonise, stay competitive, keep industry</li><li>Why renewables curtailment has become such a powerful symbol in the debate</li><li>Whether moving levies from electricity to gas would ease the pressure or inflame it</li><li>How media framing shapes public perception more than most climate advocates admit</li><li>And whether democracy is capable of delivering long-term climate strategy in short political cycles</li></ul><p><strong>Key threads that emerged</strong></p><p>Affordability now drives the politics.</p><p>The debate has shifted. It is no longer primarily about whether climate change is real. It is about who pays, when, and how much.</p><p>Climate is now industrial strategy.</p><p>Energy security, supply chains, clean manufacturing and geopolitical competition are shaping climate policy as much as emissions targets.</p><p>Market design may matter more than targets.</p><p>Grid reform, storage, electrification incentives and pricing structures could determine whether the transition accelerates or stalls.</p><p>Public support is not collapsing.</p><p>Despite louder opposition voices, broad support for climate action remains resilient. The challenge is reconnecting the transition to tangible everyday benefit.</p><p><strong>Episode Sponsor</strong></p><p>This episode is sponsored by the <a href="https://www.catf.us" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Clean Air Task Force (CATF)</a>.</p><p>CATF is a global nonprofit working to safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change by accelerating the development and deployment of low-carbon energy and other climate-protecting technologies. With more than 25 years of internationally recognised expertise in climate policy, CATF is known for its pragmatic, non-ideological approach, focused on what works at scale.</p><p>From industrial decarbonisation and clean firm power to methane reduction and advanced technologies, CATF works across policy, innovation and markets to help deliver durable climate solutions.</p><p>Learn more about