Chatham House 10d ago

Can Labour’s prized plans to decarbonize power generation by 2050 withstand growing demands for extra defence spending – an acrimonious argument that has already claimed two senior defence ministers? Or pressure to preserve and extend welfare benefits from the party’s left and the unions, many of whom see net zero as a job killer? Plus: China’s colossal subsidization of green technology has created a surplus of cheap equipment for clean power. Would Britain be wise to take advantage? Bronwen Maddox is joined by Pelin Zorlu and Chris Aylett of Chatham House’s Climate and Energy team, plus special guest Archie Hall, acting economics editor of The Economist. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Stephen Farrell and Sara Seth. Explore Chatham House's latest: Comment | Even Hormuz reopening will not resolve Europe’s key energy vulnerability https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/06/even-hormuz-reopening-will-not-resolve-europes-key-energy-vulnerability Comment | The next Strait of Hormuz crisis could be even worse https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/06/next-strait-hormuz-crisis-could-be-even-worse Research paper | Why renewables and electrification hold the keys to EU energy security https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/01/why-renewables-and-electrification-hold-keys-eu-energy-security Magazine issue | The World Today summer issue https://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/the-world-today/2026-06 Audio | The Climate Briefing podcast 🎧 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-climate-briefing/id1500769861 Audio | Africa Aware podcast 🎧 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/africa-aware/id1551785390 Follow Independent Thinking on your favourite podcast apps. --- Chatham House is a London-based international affairs think-tank. Its mission is to address geopolitical challenges and international problems, aiming to help governments and societies build a secure, sustainable, prosperous and just world. Find out more about our mission and values here: https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-mission-and-values?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=comms