Fears for climate policies after Brexit outcome

The UK voted 52 percent to 48 percent to leave the European Union in a historic referendum.

Prime Minister David Cameron has resigned in the wake of the vote and markets reacted immediately, as the pound fell to its lowest level against the dollar in 30 years.

Many climate and energy experts, including Christiana Figures, had been outspoken about the potential danger for EU and UK climate policy if the UK were to leave.

Without the UK involved, it is unlikely that the EU would revise up its current 40 percent emissions reduction target, experts say. The “leave” vote and change in government also raises uncertainty about domestic policies. Craig Bennett, head of Friends of the Earth, said the leave vote was a “red alert” for the environment.

Read EcoWatch story - “Historic UK Vote Casts Uncertainty on Future of Climate Policy.”