Blair’s net zero intervention invites scrutiny of his institute’s donors

Tony Blair said Labour’s net zero plans were doomed to fail this week. Photograph: Pedro Alvarez/The Observer

In little more than 1,600 words voicing his scepticism over net zero policies, Tony Blair this week propelled himself and his increasingly powerful institute back into the national debate.

In the past eight years, the former prime minister has built a global empire employing more than 900 people across more than 40 countries, providing policy advice to monarchs, presidents and prime ministers.