A new Conservative government in the UK - what will it mean for the climate?

With the UK waking up to a new Conservative majority government, many are turning to a question neglected throughout all the parties' campaigning - what will the new government mean for climate and the environment? From our review of the manifestos, we could expect: a crippling blow to the onshore wind industry paired with a boost for North Sea oil and gas, flagwaving for fracking (perhaps tempered by campaign-trail animosity), and a heavy commitment to new nuclear. For transport, they bet the farm on electrification of motorised vehicles over investing in active transport infrastructure; and internationally, a pledge to work towards an international deal making 2C achievable could be compromised by EU in/out uncertainty. Here, we've collected a few thoughts from experts across the UK:

• The overwhelming impression given by those Carbon Brief spoke to is that a Tory government will stick on the course set by previous governments - adhering to the Climate Change Act, remaining with their Valentine's Day commitment to end unabated coal, but backing fracking and North Sea fossils - but do no more. Opinions differ as to whether Cameron will be more or less beholden to his climate-sceptic back benchers than under the Coalition government.
• Greenpeace's EnergyDesk concludes it's "unlikely to be great news for the planet - or its inhabitants." They fear a loss of investment in renewables, a failure to commit to the domestic energy efficiency improvements needed to overcome the dual problem of high heating-related emissions and fuel poverty, and the loss of the stronger Coalition voices like the Lib Dems' Ed Davey (who lost his seat in Parliament last night) from the international negotiating table.
• Damian Carrington at the Guardian reiterates the others' concerns over the likely energy mix favoured by the Tories, and further raises concerns about their antagonism towards regulation of bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides, but does at least sound a note of hope for the local environment (in the short term at least), narrating their manifesto commitments to marine and rural conservation and green space expansion.
• James Murray of BusinessGreen weighs up whether we can expect "competence or chaos" on the climate, noting that the former will require "nerve, authority, and political nous" from the more scientifically-literate end of the Conservative party in the face of back-bench denialism. He does, however, argue that the renewable economy is flourishing and may be allowed to develop further with five years of political stability - despite the threats posed to renewables investment by Tory energy policy.
• On Twitter, Lord Deben has perhaps the most succinct summary of what Tory attempts to stick to decarbonisation goals while appeasing their core vote and right wing may mean - a commitment to decarbonisation; "it will simply cost more than necessary.

Despite the future of UK politics for the next five years becoming clearer this morning, the future of the UK's climate and environment policy is scarcely any less murky. But climate and environmental health threats do not act in isolation - they serve to exacerbate the problems of social deprivation, fuel poverty, malnutrition, an obesogenic environment, weak public health legislation, and a changing health services. It is perhaps in these areas that our new government will make its presence most felt. Healthy Planet will keep working to pressure our government to put the health of our communities and the environment on which they depend at the forefront of all policy decisions. If you want to do the same, join us and the rest of the Climate Coalition in lobbying our new MPs for government fit for the future.