Environmental organisations have said the general election, called for 4 July 2024, must be a “gamechanger” for people and the planet.

The prime minister, Rishi Sunak, made the announcement this afternoon in a wet and noisy Downing Street in a speech with no direct reference to the climate or biodiversity crises.

He said his government had “prioritised energy security and your family finances over environmental dogma and our approach to net zero.”

This evening climate campaigners and commentators said they were looking for bold election pledges from the candidates.

Greenpeace UK said:

“This is the most pivotal election for the climate in the UK’s history. We’ll be using our vote to send all politicians a message: The next government must deliver the climate action we need for the planet!”

Jamie Peters, climate co-ordinator at Friends of the Earth, said:

“This general election must be a gamechanger for people and the planet.

“Voters across the country back the action needed to meet our climate goals and protect nature for future generations. Political candidates should take note of this during their election campaigns.

“Now we need to see all parties commit to the strong, green policies needed to tackle the climate and nature crises and ensure we all benefit from a fossil-free future. This means vastly scaling up cheap homegrown renewables, investing in insulation and green industries, which would create new jobs, boost energy security and save us all money on our bills for good. We must also see an end to the environmental destruction and injustices caused by polluting companies in the UK and globally.”

E3G, the independent climate change think tank, said:

“Climate change is on the ballot like never before & voters will be looking for bold manifesto pledges to show parties are committed to ambitious action to rapidly build a clean, green energy system.”

Stop Rosebank, the campaign against a new oil and gas field in the North Sea, said:

“Whoever forms the next government must Stop Rosebank and all new oil and gas and start a just, fair transition for all workers & affected communities. There’s no other way to lower bills and achieve real energy security.”

Carla Denyer, Greens co-leader and parliamentary candidate for Bristol Central, urged voters to elect at least four Green MPs to parliament.

“We are ready. Across the country people will have the chance to vote for a Green candidate offering voters hope and practical solutions to the cost-of-living crisis, supporting people into warm, affordable homes, protecting our NHS and cleaning up our toxic rivers.”

James Murray, editor in chief of Business Green, said:

“Whoever wins the next election will face a wave of critical environmental and climate policy decisions, following a series of warnings in recent years that the government is off track to meet its emissions and nature goals for the end of the decade, and a High Court ruling that the current Carbon Budget Delivery Plan needs strengthening.”

He added:

“the next government will be tasked with delivering a revamped net zero strategy and national climate action plan; accelerating renewables development, energy efficiency improvements, and heat pump installation; finalising deals to deliver new nuclear, carbon capture, hydrogen, and grid projects; and boosting investment in water infrastructure to tackle sewage pollution, among multiple other challenges.”

We’ll add more reaction to the election announcement as we get it. At the time of writing, none of the UK’s onshore oil and gas companies or representative organisations have commented.

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Martin Frederick Collyer commented:

Hmmm-interesting that NONE of the vested interests quoted actually had ANYTHING to quote about the COST of their interest. Just perhaps, at a GE voters do require a heads up as to what they will pay for their Unicorn? I seem to remember an independent figure of £6k per year for every household and I am not convinced that someone else will pay, not even the French, for UK expenditure. Institutional cover-ups may not be too wise at the moment but I don’t see any attempt to change that pattern.

Neither am I convinced that attacking 1% will make the slightest difference, as it has not to date.

At last, though, the vested interests have realised the wind doesn’t always blow and new nuclear is required. A pretty expensive insurance policy to get the banger on the road, and no one will ask the cost of that? They might now they see the insurance costs of EVs!