Climate Cowards in Office

When it comes to climate breakdown, politicians love to talk about “net zero by 2050,” “future innovation,” and “green investment.” What they don’t love? Actually changing their own behaviour. You know — not flying, not driving, and god forbid — not using animals.

A new study interviewed 19 UK Members of Parliament across parties and found a very clear theme: even when they agree with climate science, most of them won’t lead by example. Why? They’re scared. Scared of being mocked, called a hypocrite, or — worst of all — making people feel “judged.”

It’s hard to imagine MPs wringing their hands this much over other policy areas. Imagine if public health ministers refused to model healthy behaviour because it might offend someone eating crisps. Or if transport ministers never took the train because it would seem “elitist” to people who drive. But when it comes to cutting carbon — especially if that means cutting out meat or flights — suddenly it's all too "radical."

The truth is, atmospheric carbon is the key driver of climate destruction. High-carbon behaviours — like flying, driving, and eating animals — are a massive part of the problem. Low-carbon behaviours — like train travel and plant-based diets — are the obvious alternatives. But instead of using their platform to normalise those choices, most politicians keep quiet. A full two-thirds of the MPs interviewed said they try to reduce their carbon footprint, yet only two were willing to publicly say so.

Why the silence?

Because modelling low-carbon behaviour makes people feel things. Things like shame, insecurity, defensiveness. The researchers reference “do-gooder derogation” — that all-too-familiar backlash where people attack those doing the right thing just for daring to expose the wrong thing. It’s why people who post about plant-based eating online are accused of “virtue signalling,” while people posting about bacon for the hundredth time are seen as relatable.

So what do MPs do instead? They aim not to be caught doing high-carbon things, rather than seen doing low-carbon things. They don’t want to be called out for flying, but they also don’t want to be seen taking a train in case someone asks why they aren’t perfect all the time. It’s cowardice disguised as caution.

A few cited the Prince Harry effect — backlash when he spoke about climate while flying private. But instead of learning the obvious lesson (don’t fly private), MPs internalised it as: “Say nothing, do nothing, stay out of sight.”

Some even worried that being seen modelling low-carbon behaviour would alienate voters who fly once a year. As if once-a-year fliers are the problem — not the wealthiest frequent fliers and industries doing the most damage. These same MPs showed no apparent concern for modelling behaviour that might inspire those wealthier constituents to cut back. Apparently, asking ordinary people to consume less is patronising, but letting elites destroy the planet is just good politics.

And of course, many leaned on the usual excuse: “We’ll wait for technology.” That mythical future where carbon capture saves us all without needing to change a thing. It's always some silver bullet around the corner. Never the uncomfortable truth in your lunchbox.

What’s worse is that this self-censorship reinforces the very stigma they’re afraid of. The more people with influence avoid openly rejecting high-carbon behaviours, the more those behaviours stay normal — and sustainable choices stay niche, fringe, or mocked.

This is exactly why activists — especially those promoting animal-free diets — have to stop waiting for politicians to lead. The public needs to see people rejecting high-carbon behaviours proudly and publicly. Not in a smug, moralising way, but in a “this is normal now” way. Because let’s be clear: adopting a plant-based diet is not extreme. Destroying the planet for a fleeting taste is.

Instead of obsessing over whether the poorest can afford oat milk, the conversation should be about how the richest must be held accountable for their choices — and how those with power must use it. Politicians need to be pressured to lead by example, not just legislate from the sidelines. That means writing to MPs, calling out double standards, and shifting the media focus from finger-pointing to system-changing.

Because yes, individuals matter. No, you can’t recycle your way out of a climate emergency. But when every person in power refuses to model better behaviour, we all get dragged down into the same carbon-soaked abyss.

Stop pretending this is about not being “relatable.” It’s about protecting your image at the cost of the planet. And we’re all out of time for that.