EU referendum opinion tracker: energy and climate change

On 23 June, the British people will decide whether they want to leave or remain in the European Union.

The date for the so-called “Brexit” referendum was set last Friday by David Cameron following an intense set of negotiations on the UK’s changed membership with the EU, should it decide to stay. These focused on topics including migration and the eurozone.

But a vote to leave would have ramifications stretching far beyond this — including for energy and climate change policies.

European laws and directives impact the governance of land, oceans and atmosphere, as well as energy security. And, in some cases, the UK has played a decisive role in deciding policy, such as in the case of the EU’s 2030 climate target, where the UK pushed for a more ambitious reduction than the “at least 40%” that was eventually confirmed.

The referendum looks set to dominate the news over the next few months, and votes for either side could be hard won — particularly after Cameron said he would allow ministers to have a free vote on the topic.

If the UK does vote to leave the EU, the process of leaving could take years.

While the prime minister and his secretary of state for energy and climate change, Amber Rudd, are both campaigning for the UK to stay in the EU, several influential Conservatives have joined the opposite camp, including London mayor Boris Johnson.

Between now and the referendum, Carbon Brief will track the opinions of key players in the world of energy and climate change, as well as any other influential views that reference these topics in relation to the 23 June vote.

Hover over the grid below to see full quotes and links to the source articles.

Update 24/3/2016 – Amber Rudd, energy and climate change secretary has today given a speech on the “benefits of staying in [the] EU”. She says “The global deal in Paris is in the UK’s interests, and frankly we wouldn’t have got it without being part of the EU.” She also argues UK energy bills would rise by £500m a year if the UK left the EU.

Main image: A Union Jack flag flutters next to European Union flags ahead a visits of the British Prime Minister David Cameron at the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, 29 January 2016.