Responding to the climate crisis is a fundamental challenge for politics today. The United Kingdom has a statutory goal to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, Parliament has declared a climate emergency, and its impacts are being felt across the globe. But how do politicians themselves, charged with leading the way, navigate the issue? This report answers that question. It updates research from 2018 investigating how UK MPs understand and respond to climate change. It is based on interviews with 15 MPs, and a focus group with civil society representatives. The findings reflect not only the perspectives of the MPs, but also their views on how climate change is considered by their parliamentary colleagues.

The earlier research, conducted by Lancaster University and supported by Green Alliance, showed that before 2018, MPs understood the need for action on climate change, but struggled to advocate strongly for it. Climate change was considered an ‘outsider’ issue that could set them apart from their colleagues. They felt little pressure from their constituents to lead the way. The long term nature of climate change and its solutions did not lend itself to the daily cut and thrust of politics.

In this report, the authors show that the situation has changed. Nearly all the MPs interviewed for this recent research saw climate as a mainstream concern and spoke in favour of action. They understand the scientific consensus, support the Climate Change Act and say they have a stronger mandate from their constituents. They also see the co-benefits of climate action, such as better air quality and cheaper electricity from renewables.