Cicero Policy Briefer

Issue 5, October 2006

The power of the ‘Climerati’: Has the lobby done enough?

By Jeremy Swan

If the main theme of the 2005 party conferences was pension provision, in 2006 it was indisputably climate change. If there was ever a public policy ‘tipping point’ for the Government—this was it. It is heartening for all policy advisors to see the fruits of their collective labours move the Government from muted inaction to the real possibility of climate change legislation within a few short weeks.

The interesting phenomenon is that while there is no recognised climate change lobby, the coming together of hitherto unlikely bedfellows with, in the main, a single voice did much to push the Government towards a likely Bill in the forthcoming Queen’s Speech. It’s worth considering tactically why the 2006 conference season, and the Labour conference in particular, was so successful for the ‘Climerati’ and what techniques they used.

Firstly, a number of leading environmental groups such as WWF, Friends of the Earth and the Energy Savings Trust combined to sponsor a programme of events—up to 40 at the Labour conference alone – on every conceivable aspect of climate change. This allowed them to invite the widest possible spectrum of organisations to set out their stall. The RSPB pushed hard for protection in the event of mass flooding (it should be remembered that they have twice as many members as the three main political parties combined). Insurance giants such as AXA were able to highlight the plight of small businesses and the importance of continuity planning in the event of climate disaster, and bioenergy companies were able to show why their particular methods should be adopted. Essentially, whether by chance or design, some of the most powerful companies, trade bodies, pressure groups and membership organisations in the UK had been assembled.

Secondly, conference protocol was used to good effect. By convention, ministers (although not officially representing their departments during a political event) are obliged to attend these ‘fringe’ meetings, listen and then respond to each of the views expressed. One might almost be forgiven for feeling sorry for the DEFRA team after the 40th meeting in four days and hearing the repeated call for action—sometimes good-natured, sometimes aggressive. Time after time a Bill was not on the cards. Yet two weeks later it may happen.

The big question now is not necessarily what the Bill will contain but how seriously the Government takes the implementation. If the ‘Climerati’ are as skilled at holding the Government to account as they were in generating the momentum towards the Bill, the Government could be in for a hard time.

Jeremy Swan can be contacted on +44 (0)20 7665 9534 or click here to email.

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