Talking Green: Jumping Red Lights?

Peter Newell (Sussex University) worries about the evident 'cosy relationship' between the current UK government and business (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/14/climate-crisis-boris-johnson-too-cosy-with-vested-interests-to-take-serious-action). Newell points out that industries that actively resist a transition to net zero carbon emissions, have enormous power because of their political connections. Many former politicians/ top civil servants seem to end up working for these companies, when they 'retire' (and sometimes even before they leave office). Newell also notes the UK has a 'polluting elite'. These individuals are relatively few in number but they generate far greater emissions than the average UK citizen. This polluting elite predictably includes frequent fliers and operators of SUVs. Newell believes, because they have vested interests, the UK government is unlikely to take serious action against either major polluting industries or the polluting elite. Glasgow's COP26 (our 'last chance' to deal with the climate crisis) couldn't, he clearly believes, be in (much?) worse hands.