UK: Nigel Farage to run for MP, pledging to oppose climate policies

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has announced his candidacy for MP, emphasizing his opposition to climate action and net zero policies.

Sam Bright reports for DeSmog.


In short:

  • Nigel Farage is standing for MP and will lead Reform UK, succeeding Richard Tice.
  • Farage has consistently opposed climate action, calling for a referendum on the UK's net zero emissions target.
  • Reform UK's anti-climate policies reflect Farage's views, including skepticism of climate science and support for fossil fuels.

Key quote:

“I think wind energy is the biggest collective economic insanity I’ve seen in my entire life. I’ve never seen anything more stupid, more illogical, or more irrational.”

— Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK

Why this matters:

Farage's candidacy and leadership of Reform UK could amplify anti-climate policies in Parliament, challenging the UK's climate commitments. This stance contrasts with public support for renewable energy and climate action, potentially influencing future environmental policies.

Yellow and white wind turbine towers waiting to be installed
Credit: Engineered Solutions/Unsplash

Judge reverses Trump order halting Revolution Wind

Suspending the lease for the Orsted project off Connecticut and Rhode Island was "unreasonable," the federal judge ruled Monday.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright speaking at CPAC
Credit: Gage Skidmore/https://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Trump cuts to energy projects in blue states were unlawful, judge rules

The Energy Department canceled $7.5 billion in Biden-era energy spending, largely in Democratic-led states, during last year’s government shutdown.
Coal fired electricity power plant along a river with a barge.
Photo Credit: Copyright: joshuaacarr/BigStock Photo ID: 82932053

Coal power generation falls in China and India for first time since 1970s

‘Historic’ moment in biggest coal-consuming countries could bring decline in global emissions, analysis says.

Yellow excavator loading rock truck in open pit coal mine
Photo Credit: Copyright: timofeev/BigStock Photo ID:

Coal communities accuse Congress of breaking its promise to clean up abandoned mine lands

The House passed a bill last week that would “repurpose” $500 million meant for cleaning up environmental and safety hazards caused by decades of coal mining.
Smokestacks from a factory spewing smoke and pollution into the air.
Credit: eric1513/Big Stock Photo

U.S. carbon emissions were falling. Why did they go up in 2025?

The rise comes even before the Trump administration’s pro-fossil fuel policies fully take hold, the authors of a Rhodium Group analysis found.
A group of people silhouetted against an orange sun-tinged sky

Europeans’ ‘psychological bias’ to climate change risks slowing down progress, warns study

A new analysis of global research suggests most people believe climate change will affect others more than themselves, a cognitive bias scientists say could slow climate action.

A large drill making a hole in dry earth

Corpus Christi drills wells to prevent looming water crisis

After an industrial building boom on Corpus Christi Bay, the city is drilling wells to meet water demand, and rural Nueces County residents say their own wells are being impacted.
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.