Tony Blair calls for Net Zero policy reset amid criticism

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has issued a pointed critique of current net zero climate policies, arguing that strategies focused on quickly phasing out fossil fuels are unrealistic and 'doomed to fail.' In a new report from his institute, Blair warns that the debate around climate action has become irrational, with politicians hesitant to acknowledge the failures of existing approaches. He highlights that demand for fossil fuels and energy-intensive sectors like air travel and steel production is set to rise, making current policy goals unworkable. Instead, Blair calls for a pragmatic reset: embracing technological innovation, investing in nuclear power, and focusing more on adaptation to climate impacts, rather than pursuing immediate cuts to emissions. The intervention directly challenges Labour’s energy secretary Ed Miliband and comes at a sensitive time as the government faces both electoral and economic pressures. Downing Street has defended its approach, emphasizing economic opportunities from renewables and insisting that net zero can be achieved without major sacrifices for the public.