Boris Johnson's Government in Crisis: Climate Implications of Shakeup

Strategic Insights -

Boris Johnson's administration is grappling with an escalating crisis, sparked by recent scandals and the resignation of top officials. Amidst this turmoil, key departures and appointments in the cabinet have significant implications for the UK's stance on climate change. A fresh wave of resignations has left the Prime Minister scrambling to fill the gaps, with Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid among the notable casualties.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nadhim Zahawi, the new Chancellor, has deep ties to the oil and gas industry, having earned £1.3 million as chief strategy officer of Gulf Keystone Petroleum.
  • Steve Barclay, promoted to Health Secretary, has been described as a loyal and dependable minister who introduced stricter environmental requirements for companies bidding for government contracts.
  • Michelle Donelan, the new Education Secretary, has mentioned "climate change" twice in speeches to parliament but has otherwise been relatively quiet on the issue.
  • Kwasi Kwarteng, remaining as Business Secretary, has been criticized for meetings with high-carbon energy producers and has been accused of watering down climate policies.
  • George Eustice, staying as Environment Secretary, has expressed support for the coal mine in Cumbria despite criticism from environmentalists.

Statistics:

  • £1.3 million: the amount Nadhim Zahawi earned as chief strategy officer of Gulf Keystone Petroleum.
  • 10 months: the time Nadhim Zahawi spent as Education Secretary before being promoted to Chancellor.
  • 5 billion: the amount Rishi Sunak's windfall tax on energy firms was initially set to raise.
  • 12 years: the period during which fuel duty was frozen, with Rishi Sunak extending the freeze in April 2022.
  • 30 years in jail: the sentence given to two executives from Afren, an oil company for which Nadhim Zahawi helped advise.
  • 420,000: the total amount donated to the Conservatives by companies and individuals involved in North Sea oil and gas.
  • 19: the number of times Kwasi Kwarteng met donors involved in North Sea oil and gas ahead of the industry's transition deal.
  • 9 times: the ratio of meetings between ministers and high-carbon energy producers versus renewable energy counterparts.

Sources:

  • DeSmog, "UK's new finance minister has oil industry ties that span the globe".
  • The Mirror, "Tory Minister Nadhim Zahawi pockets £1.3million as chief strategy officer of Gulf Keystone Petroleum".
  • The Guardian, "UK government's green finance initiatives have stalled, experts say".
  • Parliament, Hansard record, "Climate Change".
  • Politco EU, "Steve Barclay: a Prime Minister's dependable servant".
  • The Guardian, "Climate crisis: 'We are on the brink of a great extinction event'".