With Brexit Vote, UK Citizens Elect To Leave World’s Most Progressive Climate Change Alliance

UK vote to leave the European Union has left stock markets crashing, the Prime Minister preparing to resign, and climate communities asking what will happen to the future of global climate ambition.

Reporting for Climate Home, Ed King asks — what’s the future of climate change ambition after Brexit? With today’s historic vote, the United Kingdom has elected to leave the European Union, which Ed King calls “the world’s most progressive climate change alliance.”

In the middle of what’s set to be the warmest year in history, a 52% vote in favor of leaving the EU has left stock markets reeling, Prime Minister David Cameron announcing his resignation, and experts wondering what this news means for the energy and climate agenda in London and Brussels.

“I challenge politicians of all parties to affirm their commitment to strong UK environmental laws and to guarantee united action on climate change, despite our upcoming exit from the EU,” said James Thornton, chief executive of Client Earth, an environmental law organisation.

King asks — and answers — six questions on Brexit and the UK’s climate ambition:
– Is this a case of short term gain, long term pain?
– Will this vote damage the Paris climate deal?
– How will it impact EU climate ambition?
– Is this the rise of the climate skeptics?
– What does this mean to climate security?
– What does this mean for climate finance?

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