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The future of the UK seems perpetually in peril. As Andrew Marr argues in this month’s cover story, nothing is inevitable about Scotland’s breakaway, but London’s complacence is making it more likely. Also in this issue: Jill Rutter explores how we’re coping outside the single market, Eliane Glaser has been horrified by the education jargon being foisted on her children during her time homeschooling, and Miranda France gives her verdict on the new Kazuo Ishiguro.

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Politics climate change Environment

When it comes to tackling climate change, can the UK hold its nerve?

We are in danger of missing legally-binding emissions targets set out in the Climate Change Act. If we’re to fulfil our international obligations under the Paris agreement, we need to up our game—and fast

By Jim Skea  
June 28, 2017

In March, thousands of people marched in London to demand tougher action on climate change. Some of them dressed up. Photo: DAN LAW/NEWZULU/PA Images

For those of us wrestling with how the world should respond to something so scientifically beyond doubt as man-made climate change, the rollercoaster of short-term politics is dizzying. The ups and downs make it hard to discern whether one’s glass, at any given time, is half empty or half full.

Despite recent events, my glass is, surprisingly, half full in relation to the impact of US climate policy. When it comes to the situation on this side of the pond, in contrast, my glass…

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Jim Skea

Jim Skea is President of the Energy Institute and Professor of Sustainable Energy at Imperial College. He assesses energy professionals' views on climate policy on both sides of the Atlantic

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