UK Manifesto: General Election 2024

ClientEarth proposes a series of legislative reforms for the UK to accelerate its transition to net zero by 2050 and protect biodiversity. Key recommendations include the introduction of an Environmental Rights Bill to comply with the Aarhus Convention, the implementation of mandatory corporate transition plans, and a ban on fossil fuel advertising and carbon offsetting. The document also calls for the UK to withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty, accelerate fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution reduction targets to 2030, and ensure 30% of land and sea are effectively protected by 2030. Additionally, it urges the government to address the 'Dieselgate' scandal by supporting affected consumers and funding a clean-up fund.

• The UK has failed to pass legislation to meaningfully comply with the 2005 Aarhus Convention, which grants public rights to environmental information, justice, and participation in decision-making. ClientEarth proposes an Environmental Rights Bill to enshrine the right to a healthy environment and ensure access to justice is not prohibitively expensive.
• To establish the UK as a net zero-aligned financial centre, the government should mandate science-based transition plans for companies and financial institutions. These plans must be consistent with climate science, avoid reliance on carbon offsets, and be subject to effective audit and sanctions for non-compliance.
• ClientEarth argues for a ban on fossil fuel advertising, sponsorships, and the use of 'offsetting' claims in consumer and investor communications to prevent greenwashing and avoid 'carbon lock-in'.
• The UK should withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) to avoid costly legal actions from fossil fuel companies via the Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism, which can create a 'regulatory chill' and hamper climate policy.
• The UK government is urged to bring forward the deadline for reducing fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution from 2040 to 2030. This action is supported by estimates that air pollution costs the UK health service and individuals over £20bn annually.
• Regarding the 'Dieselgate' scandal, ClientEarth claims 2.4 million vehicles on UK roads likely use illegal defeat devices. It recommends a manufacturer-funded retrofit programme and the creation of a 'Dieselgate Clean Up Fund' to address the harm caused.
• To meet '30x30' commitments, the UK must protect an additional 3 million hectares of land—roughly 1.5 times the size of Wales—as currently only about 6.5% of England is effectively protected for nature.

APA

ClientEarth (2024). UK Manifesto: General Election 2024. https://www.clientearth.org/media/cddjgfod/uk-manifesto-2023.pdf

Chicago

ClientEarth. UK Manifesto: General Election 2024. 2024. https://www.clientearth.org/media/cddjgfod/uk-manifesto-2023.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=ClientEarth |title=UK Manifesto: General Election 2024 |date=2024 |url=https://www.clientearth.org/media/cddjgfod/uk-manifesto-2023.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{clientearth2024manifesto, author = {{ClientEarth}}, title = {{UK Manifesto: General Election 2024}}, publisher = {ClientEarth}, year = {2024}, url = {https://www.clientearth.org/media/cddjgfod/uk-manifesto-2023.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }