Attenborough: 2050 is the right target for net zero

Sir David Attenborough has backed the government’s goal of decarbonising by 2050 as the correct balance between radical action and what is practically achievable.

Giving evidence at the House of Commons this morning to a meeting of the BEIS (business, energy and industrial strategy) committee, the renowned TV naturalist endorsed the net-zero target, which was signed into law the week before last.

Pressed on whether the middle of this century was sufficiently soon to achieve the goal, he said: “We cannot be radical enough in dealing with the issues that face us. The issue is what is practically possible and how we take the electorate with us because it costs money and dealing with these problems mean we have to change our lifestyles.

“It’s a tough target and it’s going to cost money. It’s not just piety that anyone can express, it’s a practical commitment.”

But Sir David described it as a “source of great comfort” that young people recognise the urgency of tackling climate change.

“The encouraging thing is that the electorate of tomorrow are making their voice very clear”, he added.

“I see no future in being pessimistic and believe that way disaster lies: the only way to get up in the morning is to believe that something can be done.”

While agreeing that the UK is contributing its fair share to worldwide decarbonisation, he expressed the hope that it and other countries do not “backslide” on the commitments made at the 2015 UN Paris climate change summit to slash emissions.

The ‘Blue Planet’ presenter rejected the suggestion that those who dispute that climate change is man-made should be denied a public platform to make their case.

He said: “Beliefs should not be stamped on. It’s important that the voice of dissent can be heard and arguments can be worked out in public and analysed.”

However, Sir David said he was “sorry” that some political leaders, picking out Australia and the USA, are indulging such rhetoric.

He added that when the Commons select committees mount their Citizens Assembly on meeting net zero this autumn, all points of view on the climate change issue should be represented.

“Everybody has to be convinced about this.”

Sir David said he was “afraid” that the price of flying must go up to better reflect the environmental costs of aviation, while acknowledging that this will cut access to air transport for the less well off.

Asked to identify the most important step that the government can take to mitigate climate change, he said it was to encourage investment in the storage and transportation of renewable energy.

He said: “We have to ensure we have ways to store power and to transport power without a major loss of product.

“If we can solve those problems we can solve the pollution problems of airplanes and motor cars.”