By Donnachadh McCarthy
Climate Media Coalition contributor
On 18th March 2025, I once again appeared on a GB News panel opposite Jacob Rees-Mogg, this time discussing Kemi Badenoch’s recent speech, which effectively tore up three decades of cross-party commitment to climate action. While Rees-Mogg stuck doggedly to his climate-denying talking points, the experience offered some unexpected and encouraging positives worth reflecting on.
A Better Balance?
For the second time in just one week, I found myself on a GB News panel where the majority — not the minority — supported climate protection. Alongside me were Paul Powlesland from Lawyers for Nature and Rachel Solomon Williams from the Aldersgate Group, making it three-to-one in favour of the green transition. This shift felt significant. Could this mark a new chapter in how mainstream media reflects public opinion on climate?
We can only hope. Balanced representation matters — especially when the stakes are this high.
Messaging Breakthrough
A welcome surprise came from GB News themselves, who posted a clip of my key message to social media — instead of trying to discredit or undermine it, as they’ve done in the past. The post highlighted my rebuttal to Badenoch’s misleading claim that green policies are responsible for high electricity bills in the UK:
“Badenoch has broken the consensus on climate — but on a dishonest premise,” I argued.
“Fossil gas, not green energy, is the real driver of spiralling electricity prices.”
GB News also tweeted a clip of the show with me in it, delivering my core message soundbite
📺 Watch the clip: GB News panel appearance
Quiet Lobbying, Big Conversations
Following the panel, I had a powerful exchange with the CEO of the Aldersgate Group, an alliance of UK businesses committed to the green transition. I shared the work we’re doing at the Climate Media Coalition (CMC) — especially our push to reframe the media’s role in the climate crisis.
To my delight, she immediately recognised the importance of tackling this systemic issue. While many in the climate movement are focused on better coverage, we’re focusing on transforming the media ecosystem itself — and it was heartening to see that message resonate.
What I Said (Or Tried to Say)
Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Jacob Rees-Mogg rarely lets a full sentence through unchallenged. But here’s a summary of the key points I raised — or tried to raise — during our exchange:
- Badenoch’s speech is a betrayal of Thatcher’s legacy on climate. Thatcher was a ‘Can Do’ leader; Badenoch is leading the party into a ‘Can’t Do’ future.
- Electricity prices in the UK are high, but not because of renewables. They’re high because we still peg our prices to the most expensive electricity — fossil gas. It’s time to decouple prices and let consumers benefit from cheaper green electricity.
- The UK’s green economy now supports one million jobs, pays £5,000 more than the national average, and is worth £83 billion.
- Climate action has made us richer, not poorer. Since the UK began cutting emissions 30 years ago, GDP has risen by 150%, while emissions have halved.
- All electricity sources need backup — whether nuclear, fossil, or renewable.
- Battery backup costs have now fallen below fossil gas electricity: £91/MWh versus £114/MWh.
- Other European countries have more green electricity and lower prices. The UK’s problem? Our electricity prices are still 98% tied to fossil gas, while the EU average is around 40%.
- China is leading the green investment race, and coal use fell by nearly 6% in the first two months of 2025.
- Not all green jobs are subsidised. Some subsidies make sense — like for home insulation. But others, like those supporting fossil gas carbon capture or nuclear energy, represent a form of corporate welfare dressed up as climate policy.
A Word on Justice
One area where I found rare common ground with Jacob Rees-Mogg was this: the green transition must reduce energy bills for those on the lowest incomes — those who pollute the least — and be paid for by those with the highest carbon footprints.
That’s what climate justice really looks like.
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Donnachadh McCarthy
@Climate-Media-C.bsky.social
@DonnachadhMc.bsky.social
