Reform UK's plan to scrap net zero: what it means
Abolishing the UK's legally-binding net zero target and the subsidies for renewable energy, and backing domestic oil, gas and nuclear instead.
What's being proposed
Reform UK would scrap the UK's net zero by 2050 target — the legal commitment to cut greenhouse-gas emissions to net zero — and end the subsidies and levies that support renewable energy. In their place the party would back domestic oil and gas (including North Sea licences), support new nuclear, and, it says, cut the green costs currently added to energy bills. Reform describes net zero as unaffordable and has claimed the change would save the public finances around £30bn a year and take roughly £500 off household bills.
Where it comes from
The UK's net zero by 2050 target is set in law (the Climate Change Act, amended in 2019). A share of energy bills funds environmental and social levies and support for renewables. Reform argues these costs are too high and that the transition is being pushed too fast; opponents respond that the headline savings are contested, that gas prices — not green levies — drove recent bill spikes, and that weakening climate policy carries long-term economic and environmental costs.
How it would work
- Repeal or abandon the net zero by 2050 statutory target and interim carbon budgets.
- End renewable-energy subsidies and remove green levies from bills.
- Expand North Sea oil and gas licensing and support new nuclear.
- Scrap the related carbon-pricing costs the party says fall on industry and consumers.
The case for and against
Supporters argue
- It would cut green levies and, the party says, lower bills and industrial energy costs.
- Backing domestic oil, gas and nuclear could support energy security and jobs.
- It removes what supporters see as an unaffordable and rigid legal target.
Critics argue
- The claimed £30bn and £500 savings are heavily disputed by analysts.
- Recent bill spikes were driven mainly by international gas prices, not green levies.
- Weakening climate policy risks higher long-term costs, missed investment and legal challenge.
Sources & further reading
- Reform UK — the party's energy and net zero policy.
- GOV.UK — the UK's net zero framework and targets.
- Carbon Brief — analysis of net zero costs and claims.
Figures are illustrative and based on reported proposals; claimed savings are contested. General information, not financial, legal or tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
What does scrapping net zero mean?
It means abandoning the UK's legal commitment to cut emissions to net zero by 2050 and ending the subsidies and levies that support renewable energy, while backing more domestic oil, gas and nuclear.
Would scrapping net zero cut my energy bill?
Reform claims it would take around £500 off bills by removing green levies, but this figure is disputed — analysts point out that recent bill rises were driven mainly by gas prices, not levies.
Is this government policy?
No — it's a Reform UK proposal. The net zero by 2050 target remains set in UK law.