We must simplify trade to tackle the climate crisis

By Laura Savage,
Best for Britain's Campaigns Officer


We should prioritise free and frictionless trade with our neighbours, Europe, to reduce associated energy expenditure and carbon emissions. Why would we fly our food all the way from Australia or Japan, rather than ship from our closest neighbour just across the Channel?

Duplicated testing, complex rules of origins checks and extra paperwork means more lorries idling on the motorway and more food rotting in the back of them. Free and frictionless with Europe will help to offset the UK’s climate impact. 

Equally, we cannot undertake meaningful global action if we are at odds with our closest neighbour. The UK should work to repair lines of communication with the EU, including implementing structural processes and regular conferences. The UK must simplify trade with its closest neighbour to fight the climate crisis.