The politics of climate change has never felt more contested than it is right now, and it seems increasingly likely that acting on net-zero will form a dividing line in the next general election, with MPs now on the frontline of these debates.

This report, Sustaining the political mandate for climate action, published in partnership with Lancaster University, provides fresh insights into the views and perspectives of members of the House of Commons, as they grapple with these evolving political realities. Far from polemic we often hear about in the media, MPs of all persuasions are committed to action on climate change, but many feel worried about pace and scale of the transition ahead of us.

At this online event on the 12 of October 2023, we heard from Professor Rebecca Willis and Dr Steve Westlake, the academics who led on this research, who discussed their findings with a particular focus on implications for NGOs and how our strategies can respond to this changing context.

Chaired by Bronwen Smith-Thomas of the Climate Coalition, the discussion included an audience Q&A.

Panellists

• Chair: Bronwen Smith-Thomas, head of campaigns and politics, The Climate Coalition
• Dr Steve Westlake, research associate, Lancaster University
• Professor Rebecca Willis, professor of energy and climate governance, Lancaster University