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The Political Stakes of Climate Commitments Backsliding on climate action would drive the Labour party into political obscurity, Zack Polanski has warned, as trade union leaders remain divided over more drilling in the North Sea. The Green party leader, speaking to the Guardian as searing heat swept the country for the second time this year, urged Andy Burnham – widely expected to be the UK's next prime minister – to be bold on climate justice. He said any move to water down the party's commitments would have dire consequences at the ballot box. "Half measures or backsliding on climate action would be a moral and political failure from Andy Burnham. He has the chance to be bold, and failing to do so will see our country get poorer and his party slip further into obscurity." The North Sea Drilling Divide The leader of the UK's biggest union, Unison, has called for no more drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea amid a debate within Labour and the trade union movement about the party's climate commitments. However, the former health secretary Wes Streeting has called for more drilling in the North Sea, including giving the go ahead to the massive Rosebank oilfield. Sharon Graham, the leader of Unite, which represents workers in the oil and gas industry, also backs new drilling and said that the commitment of the energy secretary, Ed Miliband, to net zero would be a "noose around the neck" of job creation. The British Chambers of Commerce said Burnham should exploit what fossil fuels were left in the dwindling North Sea basin "to avoid mass job losses." Critics point out that the number of jobs supported by the industry has more than halved in the last decade – from 441,000 to 214,000 – despite previous governments issuing hundreds of new licences. Statistics show between 90% and 93% of all viable oil and gas has already been drained from the basin. Economic Impact of Climate Policies A recent CBI report found the net zero economy was worth about £100bn a year to the UK, growing faster than the rest of the economy and producing higher-paid jobs. This economic data contrasts with arguments from drilling proponents who suggest continued fossil fuel extraction is necessary for economic stability. Decades of inaction on the transition to clean energy has already put the UK way behind where it should be, with huge cost to the economy, according to Polanski. "As the country swelters under extreme heat there has never been a more prescient reminder that we simply cannot afford to keep burning fossil fuels." Union Movement Fractures Over Climate Action Yet in debates over who should be Burnham's chancellor, some on the right of the party and the union movement back Streeting over Miliband. A senior trade union source said there was widespread unease within the union movement at Unite's pro-drilling stance. "Many in our union – and other unions – are worried that Sharon's interventions are boosting [Nigel] Farage and his crypto-backers," they said. "And that her attack on Ed played right into the hands of the Labour right. Wes as chancellor would be a bad outcome for the working class, including Sharon's members. It's not strategic at all." Andrea Egan, the leader of Unison, said this month that more drilling for fossil fuels would do nothing to help working-class people. "Climate change denial is creeping into politics like never before, with far-right parties treating fossil fuels as a panacea for the country's problems," Egan wrote. "Plundering the North Sea wouldn't make a significant difference for working-class people in Britain, and it would be grossly irresponsible to working-class people in the global south." Frontline Workers Call for Climate Action Other unions also say a Burnham government must double down on its climate plans to secure a fair and sustainable future. Steve Wright, the general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said its members were on the frontline of the climate crisis dealing with wildfires and heatwaves. He added: "We see first-hand the need for urgent climate action and that must include restrictions on drilling in the North Sea." "We urgently need a plan for adaptation that protects people's health as well as the environment. Otherwise, firefighters will still be pushed beyond limits to respond to the sheer scale of wildfires this summer and in future years." The UK's largest teachers' union, the National Education Union, also urged Burnham not to back away from climate action. "This week's extreme heatwave is causing untold disruption and discomfort throughout our education system," said Daniel Kebede, the NEU's general secretary. "This certainly isn't the moment to move away from trying to tackle the very causes of what we are experiencing this week; if we make that mistake, these episodes will only continue to get worse."

The Call to Action on Net Zero Targets Britain’s net zero economy is booming, worth £100bn a year to the UK, outpacing other sectors, and supporting higher-paying jobs than the average. For a union leader to suggest that the man who has overseen this impressive record – the energy secretary, Ed Miliband – would be a “noose around the neck” of job creation, as Unite’s Sharon Graham has done, might seem extraordinary. The Economic Benefits of Net Zero More than 60% of people support net zero and climate action, numerous polls suggest. Although it is eclipsed by the cost of living as a priority for voters, the appeal crosses political divides – about a third of Reform voters support the target, despite the onslaught against it from Nigel Farage and Richard Tice. The Impact on Labour's Electoral Prospects At the other end of the spectrum, Labour haemorrhaged votes to the strongly pro-climate Green party and Liberal Democrats at the local elections. YouGov polling showed that for every 2024 Labour voter who switched to Reform, about six voted instead for the Liberal Democrats or the Green party. In many cases, it was the switch by Labour voters to the left that gave Reform the leg-up to win seats, rather than Labour voters moving right. The Future of Net Zero Policy Political calculation aside, measures to tackle the climate crisis and reduce the UK’s dependence on imported oil and gas can also deliver economically. While Unite and GMB, unions with members reliant on the oil and gas sector, have called for an end to the ban on new North Sea drilling, most unions support net zero. The Prediction Burnham had a strong record on the environment while mayor of Manchester, where he declared a target of carbon neutrality by 2038 and championed clean energy, electric buses, insulation and nature projects. “This record shows he understands the importance of these issues and is willing to fight for them,” says Robbie McPherson, Kennedy Scholar at Harvard University, and former head of the UK’s all-party parliamentary group on climate.

The Lead: Sportswashing at the World CupIf you've watched the World Cup, you've likely seen the prominent signs announcing Aramco as the tournament's "energy partner." This Saudi Arabian fossil fuel company happens to be the world's single largest corporate polluter, while Saudi Arabia has been a major blocker of international climate change negotiations. Aramco's sponsorship represents a troubling aspect of FIFA's increasing sportswashing practices that have angered fans worldwide.The Historical Connection: Football and Fossil CapitalThe relationship between modern football and polluting industries has a long history that can be divided into three distinct periods. Initially, football grew in British society as a tool to order and discipline workers, then became a cultural export of the British empire and capitalism. The traditional 3pm kick-off time originated from the Factory Act of 1850, which granted workers Saturday afternoons off from 2pm.European industrialism, militarism, and colonialism further exported football globally, with industrialization in Britain creating the conditions for competitions requiring order, discipline, and structure. Football spread from England and Scotland to industrial areas across Europe and to ports in South America.The postwar period saw football professionalized and increasingly dominated by clubs in industrial cities, often closely linked to the car industry. Juventus had ties with Fiat, Wolfsburg with Volkswagen, and economic regulations made elite men's football more spread out than today.The Sportswashing Effect: Petrodollar DominationThe establishment of the Champions League and Premier League in the early 1990s marked football's increasing globalization, opening the sport to new forms of fossil capital investments favoring the biggest clubs in attractive cities.While the 1990s had nine European club champions from nine cities, only three clubs have won the Champions League since who weren't part of the 14 elite clubs that pushed for its expansion in the late 1990s. Those three—Chelsea, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain—all entered the elite level with petrodollar investments: Chelsea with Roman Abramovich, Manchester City with Sheikh Mansour, and PSG with Qatar Sports Investments.Today, there's only one way for a club to enter the elite level of men's football in Europe: investment from a petrostate. This further locks in the carbon intensity of the sport and embeds fossil fuels as a crucial part of global culture.The Future Outlook: Breaking the Fossil Fuel CycleFossil fuel companies need to become a "necessary evil"—so embedded that we can't imagine life without them. This is where sportswashing plays a crucial role, with football and FIFA facilitating this normalization of fossil dependence.For every petrostate or oil magnate that buys a football club, for every event or club sponsored by a fossil-fuel company, and for every airline logo on players' shirts, the dominance of fossil capital becomes more entrenched. This makes it harder to imagine the game—and the world—without fossil fuels.As we love our beautiful game, we risk accepting the necessary evil of fossil capital to keep it alive and flourishing. Aramco has bought into the World Cup to sell us the idea that we have no choice but to continue burning fossil fuels. This relationship between football and fossil fuels represents a significant challenge to climate action and requires critical examination from fans and stakeholders alike.

The Criticism of UK Net Zero Policies Britain's net zero policies and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband have come under fire at a conference of conservatives, right-wing populists, and wealthy US backers linked to Donald Trump. The energy policies pursued by the British government were described as a 'tragic mistake' by Trump's energy secretary, Chris Wright. The 'Anti-Woke Davos' Conference More than 4,000 delegates from 85 countries are attending this year's Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC) conference in London, which has been dubbed 'anti-woke Davos.' The event features speakers such as US state department officials, anti-abortion activists, and representatives of European far-right parties. The Data Analysis 4,000 delegates from 85 countries attending the ARC conference Speakers include US state department officials, anti-abortion activists, and representatives of European far-right parties The conference is funded by US fossil fuel interests, major Trump donors, and anti-abortion groups The Impact Analysis The criticism of the UK's net zero policies and Ed Miliband reflects a broader hostility to green economic policies and climate action among some conservatives and right-wing populists. The event's focus on libertarian hostility to green economic policies, social conservative causes, and opposition to multiculturalism highlights the challenges facing climate action and progressive policies. The Prediction The criticism of the UK's net zero policies and Ed Miliband is likely to continue, particularly as the UK government faces pressure to roll back its climate commitments. The 'anti-woke Davos' conference and similar events may become more prominent in shaping public discourse and policy debates, potentially undermining efforts to address the climate crisis.

The Lead: France's Unprecedented Heat CrisisFrance has registered its hottest day on record as 40 people across the country were confirmed to have drowned while swimming in unsupervised areas over the last few days. Prime minister Sébastien Lecornu described this as a "tragic scourge of drownings" with most victims being young people, while the nation faces an "episode of exceptional intensity" with daily and national temperature records being broken.Record-Breaking Temperatures: A Climate MilestoneThe national weather service, Météo-France, confirmed that Tuesday had been the hottest day since measurements began in 1947, with temperatures climbing to 44.3C in Pissos (Landes) and reaching 42.1C in Bordeaux. Many cities experienced unprecedented temperature values regardless of the month, while 54 departments were placed under a red heatwave alert as "oppressive and exhausting" heat smothered about half of the country. Overnight temperatures were also the hottest since 1947, with France's national heat index reaching a record 29.8C (85.6F), surpassing the previous record of 29.4C (84.9F) from August 2003 and July 2019.Human and Infrastructure Toll: Widespread DisruptionThe extreme heat has triggered significant disruptions across French society. The Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, two of the world's most visited tourist attractions, shortened their opening hours due to the scorching temperatures. The Eiffel Tower "exceptionally closed" at 4pm local time—more than eight hours earlier than normal—while the Louvre closed two hours earlier from Wednesday to Saturday, citing vulnerability to climate change. In the greater Paris region, officials advised people to work from home and avoid rail journeys, noting that "railways cannot withstand temperatures above 50 degrees." Additionally, about 1,350 schools were forced to close, and the Golfech nuclear plant switched off a reactor after discovering that cooling water had warmed beyond the safe level of 28C.European Heat Crisis: A Continental PhenomenonThe heatwave extends beyond France, affecting much of Europe. In England, some schools closed early as the UK braced for temperatures expected to soar to 40C, with the Met Office issuing its second red heat warning. In Italy, the health minister declared a red heatwave alert in 15 cities including Milan and Rome, while air-conditioning use led to blackouts in Milan and Turin. In Parma, the hospital service reported 1,068 people accessing emergency services over three days due to high temperatures. Germany also reported swimming accidents that led to five deaths over the weekend.Climate Crisis Connection: The New Normal?The sweltering temperatures across Europe are caused by what climate scientist Clair Barnes at Imperial College London described as a "bulging mass of hot air" drawing warm air up from north Africa's Sahara. "It's very slow moving and it means there's kind of no wind, no breeze for respite," Barnes explained. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking at a London Climate Action Week event, emphasized the connection between climate crisis and fossil fuels: "A climate crisis is pushing us deeper towards higher temperatures and closer to catastrophic tipping points, and an energy crisis is exposing the folly of a world hooked on hydrocarbons. On the surface, these crises may seem separate, but they share the same destructive origin: fossil fuels." With further record-breaking temperatures expected, this heatwave may signal a new normal for European summers as climate change accelerates.

Air Pollution: The Overlooked Killer and a New Hope Air pollution kills more than 8 million people each year—more than HIV, malaria and tuberculosis combined—yet it receives little media attention. Recent successes in London and New York demonstrate that city‑level action, driven by real‑time data, can dramatically cut emissions and save lives. London’s Ultra‑Low Emission Zone and New York’s Sensor‑Driven Turnaround In London, the ultra‑low emissions zone (Ulez), the world’s largest clean‑air zone, was implemented after a network of low‑cost sensors mapped pollution hotspots. The programme cut NO₂ levels to legal limits in 9 years, far faster than the 200‑year forecast by King’s College London. New York followed a similar path, using city‑wide air‑quality sensors to drive a 50‑year low in pollutants. Numbers That Tell the Story 1,200 air sensors deployed across 14 Breathe Cities, including Accra and Nairobi. Clean‑air zones pledged by ten cities will protect over 18 million residents by 2030. Recent Imperial College research links the Ulez to a measurable drop in emergency hospital admissions for heart and breathing problems. Zero‑emission buses and expanded sensor networks have driven a steep decline in London’s particulate matter levels. Health, Climate and Economic Ripple Effects of Cleaner Air Cleaner air reduces cardiovascular and respiratory disease, cuts healthcare costs, and creates a healthier workforce. The environmental gains also attract private investment, as businesses seek locations with reliable air‑quality standards. By tackling pollution, cities simultaneously advance climate goals and boost local economies. Scaling the Blueprint: What the Next Decade Holds for Global Air Quality The newly launched Breathe Cities programme, backed by Michael Bloomberg and the Clean Air Fund, equips mayors with data, technical support, and a global peer network. As more municipalities adopt real‑time monitoring and clean‑air policies, the model could spare millions of lives and set a new standard for urban climate action worldwide.

The Film's Concept In his new documentary film 'The Welcome Table', director Josh Fox aims to bring people together to share a meal and sing, promoting unity in the face of climate change. The film features stark warnings of the climate crisis and opportunities to experience the lives of those living on the frontlines of global warming's effects. Exploring Climate Change's Impact The film takes viewers to various locations, including Paradise, California; São Sebastião, Brazil; and the Turkana Basin in Kenya. Fox meets with people whose ways of life are far different from the modern western lifestyle, giving an important look at the lived realities for many around the globe. The Power of Collective Joy Fox believes that collective joy can be a powerful tool in overcoming hatred and promoting unity. He quotes from documents like the UN universal declaration of human rights, which states 'everyone has the right of movement and residence within the borders of each state'. The film culminates with the sounds of individuals coming together at an enormous table in New Orleans, eating and rejoicing. The Struggle for Climate Justice Fox connects the dots between climate change, economic and political oppression, and the struggles of marginalized communities. He argues that climate change is a form of oppression created by a billionaire class that refuses to stop. The film highlights the dire warning that one third of all humanity will lose their homes due to climate change. The Future of Climate Action The Welcome Table airs on HBO on June 23 and will be available on HBO Max. Fox hopes that the film will inspire collective action and promote a sense of welcome and unity in the face of climate change. He looks to New Orleans as a symbol of resistance and collective joy, embodying the spirit needed to defeat the forces of authoritarianism and take action against global warming.

The UK's Commitment to Net Zero Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, is expected to emphasize the UK's commitment to net zero targets as a means to deliver jobs and growth. In a speech at London Climate Action Week, Miliband will highlight that the UK's clean economy is booming, with over £100bn of private investment announced in clean energy since the government came to office. Green Investment Surge The investment data, which includes nearly £14bn in Scotland alone, shows that offshore wind, solar power, and the electricity grid make up the bulk of the planned investment. Companies such as Japan's Sumitomo conglomerate, National Grid, Barclays, NatWest, and Lloyds banks have pledged significant investments, including £7.5bn and £40bn respectively. The Economic Benefits of Net Zero Experts argue that the push for net zero is not a drag on the economy, but rather a growth engine. The Confederation of British Industry has found that the UK's net zero economy has grown faster than the rest of the economy and generates higher-paying jobs. Economic experts believe that renewable energy and electrification can bring down energy prices, remove the threat of damaging energy shocks, and drive strong growth in the economy. The Future of Net Zero Commitments The future of the government's net zero commitments is likely to be hotly contested. While some of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's core advisers have been cool on the policies, Miliband's speech is seen as an attempt to reaffirm the government's commitment to net zero. The speech comes as speculation surrounds Miliband's potential role as chancellor under a new prime minister. The Path Forward Experts, including Bob Ward from the Grantham Research Institute and Ed Matthew from E3G, emphasize the importance of green investment in driving economic growth and reducing the UK's reliance on expensive fossil fuels. They argue that the next prime minister must recognize the power of green investment and create an environment to foster it.

The Rise of Electrification in Climate Discussions Electrifying the world with electric vehicles, electric heating and cooling, and modernized heavy industry could be the next significant step towards phasing out fossil fuels. This shift could save billions of dollars for consumers and businesses, with global energy demand potentially halved. Global Climate Talks Take a New Direction For decades, electrification has been a niche area in global climate action. However, recent preparatory talks in Bonn before the COP31 climate summit marked a significant shift, with electrification becoming a central topic. Murat Kurum, Turkey's environment minister and co-host of COP31, emphasized the importance of electrification, stating it's crucial for reaching the targets set by the Paris agreement. Electrification Targets and Proposals Turkey, supported by Australia, has proposed a target of 35% of final energy to come from electricity by 2035. This proposal aims to increase electrification in cities, manufacturing, and all aspects of life, serving larger climate targets. The push for electrification was a highlight of the Bonn talks, which otherwise saw little progress. Challenges and Controversies Despite the momentum, challenges persist. Climate finance remains a significant stumbling block, with developed countries criticized for not fulfilling their commitments to provide adaptation funding to developing countries. There were also disputes over climate science and the 1.5C goal, with some countries attempting to delay or undermine these aspects. The Path Forward The electrification target represents a step change in climate discussions, driven by advancements in technology and decreasing costs. With electric vehicles, heat pumps, and renewable energy becoming more affordable and efficient, the potential for widespread adoption is greater than ever. Experts stress that electro-efficiency offers significant advantages over fossil fuels, making it a critical component of the transition to a low-carbon economy.