As the dust settles on the 2025 Party Conference season, the Environmental Industries Association (EIA) has closely monitored the major announcements, debates, and policy shifts across the four leading political parties—Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and Reform UK. With a general election still 4 years away, this year’s conferences offered a revealing glimpse into the environmental priorities shaping the UK’s political landscape.
“Party conference season is always useful to ascertain trends and political thinking and where policy intervention is needed over the coming 12 months,” said Michael Lunn, CEO of EIA. “It’s a vital moment for our sector to understand how each party is positioning itself on the environment, infrastructure, and economic growth.”
Labour: National Renewal Through Green Growth
Labour’s conference in Liverpool was framed around “national renewal,” with Prime Minister Keir Starmer invoking the legacy of post-war reconstruction. The party’s environmental and economic agenda focused on:
- Clean Energy by 2030: A bold commitment to 100% clean energy, reaffirmed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, alongside support for nuclear projects like Sizewell C.
- Nature Recovery & Water Reform: DEFRA Secretary Emma Reynolds announced criminal penalties for polluting water companies and banned executive bonuses linked to pollution.
- Housing & Planning: A £39bn New Towns programme aims to deliver 1.5 million homes, with planning reform to accelerate approvals.
- PFAS & Air Quality: Fringe events spotlighted chemical pollution and air quality, with calls for urgent regulatory reform and stronger public health protections.
- Green Prosperity: Labour scaled back its original £28bn/year green investment pledge to £24bn over the Parliament, sparking debate over public vs private financing.
Labour’s approach blends industrial strategy with environmental ambition, though critics—including Greenpeace and WWF—warned of gaps in nature protection.
Conservatives: Climate Reset and Economic Pragmatism
The Conservative Party, under Kemi Badenoch’s leadership, took a dramatic turn by pledging to repeal the Climate Change Act 2008, effectively dismantling the UK’s legal commitment to net zero by 2050. Key themes included:
- Net Zero Scepticism: Badenoch framed net zero as economically damaging, proposing a “proper strategy” focused on affordability and reliability.
- Fossil Fuel Expansion: Plans to increase North Sea oil and gas extraction and end EV mandates and heat pump subsidies.
- Green Gas & Infrastructure: Fringe panels explored green gas and clean energy infrastructure as alternatives to traditional fossil fuels.
- Apprenticeships Over University: Doubling the apprenticeship budget and cutting low-return university courses to align skills with employment.
- Nature Restoration: Despite the climate rollback, some voices within the party—like Michael Gove—advocated using Brexit to restore British nature.
The Conservatives’ pivot away from net zero has drawn sharp criticism from environmental groups and former party leaders, raising concerns about investment certainty and international credibility.
Liberal Democrats: A Roadmap for Sustainability
At their Bournemouth conference, the Liberal Democrats unveiled Policy Paper 160: “For People, For Planet”, outlining a comprehensive environmental strategy:
- Climate, Nature & Resilience Roadmap: A cross-departmental plan with a new Chief Secretary for Sustainability in the Treasury.
- Energy Decarbonisation: Targeting 95% clean power by 2030, with support for modular nuclear reactors and community energy.
- Just Transition: Empowering local councils and supporting North Sea communities in the shift away from fossil fuels.
- Green Jobs & Skills: Expansion of green apprenticeships and a zero-carbon skills strategy.
- Adaptation & Agriculture: Investment in flood resilience and a £1bn/year boost to ELMS.
While the Lib Dems lacked detailed positions on brownfield development and air quality, their holistic approach to climate and nature policy was well-received by stakeholders.
Reform UK: Anti-Net Zero and Brownfield Focus
Reform UK’s Birmingham conference reinforced its anti-Net Zero stance, positioning climate action as economically harmful. Key proposals included:
- Scrapping Net Zero: Repealing the 2050 target and cutting all related subsidies.
- Fossil Fuel Expansion: Fast-tracking oil, gas, fracking, and clean coal projects.
- Brownfield Development: Tax incentives and “loose-fit planning” to accelerate housing on previously developed land.
- Modular Construction: Emphasis on innovation to reduce waste and improve building efficiency.
Reform UK’s environmental platform has been widely criticised, with independent analysis warning of job losses, GDP decline, and higher energy bills if renewables are abandoned.
Conclusion: Diverging Paths Ahead
The 2025 Party Conference season revealed stark contrasts in environmental policy across the political spectrum. Labour and the Liberal Democrats are doubling down on green growth and resilience, while the Conservatives and Reform UK are rethinking—or outright rejecting—net zero commitments.
For EIA members, these developments underscore the importance of continued engagement with policymakers, especially ahead of the Autumn Budget and the next general election. The environmental sector must remain vigilant, proactive, and united in advocating for sustainable, science-based policy that supports both the planet and the economy.
ALL EIA MEMBERS HAVE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE BRIEFING SENT TO THEM COVERING ALL MAJOR POLICY ANNOUNCEMENTS.