LIVE: The Net Zero Debate | Liam Halligan & Lord Lilley vs Bob Ward & Shahrar Ali

For nearly two decades, net zero has sat at the heart of Britain’s policy agenda. Once framed as a clear moral imperative, it saw political parties promising to slash carbon emissions and ministers racing to position the UK as a leader on the international stage. But as economic pressures and global instability mount, that consensus is beginning to fray.

Recent shocks – from the pandemic to war-driven energy crises – have exposed the fragility of supply chains and the risks of overreliance on external energy sources. While renewables like wind and solar can supplement carbon fuels, they also raise questions around cost, subsidy and reliability. At the same time, drilling for oil in the North Sea is penalised. So where does this leave Britain? As a relatively small contributor to global emissions, is the UK leading the way in adopting net zero – or putting its own economic resilience at risk?

Listen here to a section of our recent live debate, where Lord Lilley and journalist Liam Halligan went up against Bob Ward, of the influential Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, and Shahrar Ali, former deputy leader of the Green party. Chaired by The Spectator’s assistant editor, Isabel Hardman.

Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.

For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(3311)

Is Britain ungovernable?

We are on course for yet another prime minister – our seventh in just ten years. With statistics like that, and after watching the now-familiar pattern of leaders arriving with promises of hopeful cha...

27 Kesä 14min

Would Burnham be 'Labour's first female PM'?

Another agenda-setting cover piece from Tim Shipman has ruffled feathers in Westminster. The controversy centres on a line from a senior Labour source who told Shippers that Andy Burnham could be ‘Lab...

26 Kesä 16min

How to solve Britain’s maternity crisis

Donna Ockenden's report on Nottingham NHS maternity scandal is out today, revealing 'horrendous' failings. It involves cases of negligence, cover ups, racial disparities and avoidable deaths. To discu...

24 Kesä 22min

Kemi Badenoch’s victory lap

Supercharged by a by-election victory in Aberdeen South and Starmer’s resignation, Kemi Badenoch delivered a drive-by at PMQs today. She took aim at members of Starmer’s cabinet in succession: Rachel ...

24 Kesä 14min

Does Burnham have a plan? (No)

Andy Burnham is back in Westminster, Sir Keir Starmer has resigned and Wes Streeting has said he will not contest the leadership election. Labour rebels will be celebrating that their plan has gone of...

22 Kesä 18min

It's over – Keir Starmer resigns

It’s over. Sir Keir Starmer has finally done the deed and quit. After years spent berating the Tories for constantly changing leader, fighting among themselves and looking inwards, Labour has succumbe...

22 Kesä 14min

Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 21/06/2026

Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning's political shows.Keir Starmer is on the brink. Is he announcing his departure on Monday?Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podca...

21 Kesä 17min

Why Makerfield changes everything | Tim Shipman, James Lyons, Luke Tryl & Michael Simmons

Andy Burnham has won what may come to be seen as the most consequential by-election in recent memory. Political journalism has a tendency towards hyperbole, but the situation is clear: Burnham is on h...

19 Kesä 34min