Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has recently announced significant changes to policies aimed at helping the UK achieve its legally binding goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
One of the key changes is the postponement of the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, which was originally set for 2030 but has now been extended to 2035. Additionally, targets to encourage households to transition away from fossil fuel boilers have been relaxed, and plans for more stringent energy efficiency regulations for landlords have been scrapped.
Sunak defended these changes by pointing out that the UK has managed to reduce its emissions more rapidly than any other G7 country since 1990. He argued that the altered policies are not essential for meeting the emissions targets.
The Home Secretary, on the other hand, emphasized the need for a pragmatic approach to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, stating that it's not possible to "save the planet by bankrupting the British people."
Alok Sharma, former chair of the Cop26 UN summit, has also challenged UK PM Rishi Sunak to demonstrate how the country will fulfil its international climate commitments after recent policy reversals.
Sunak's recent announcement included extending the deadline for the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles to 2035 and weakening the phase-out of gas boilers by 2035, actions that are expected to increase emissions over the next decade. However, Sunak did not clarify how these emissions would be offset elsewhere.
Sharma emphasised the need for ministers to urgently outline their plans to achieve the UK's legally binding near-term carbon budgets and the internationally committed 2030 emissions reduction target.
He welcomed the prime minister's commitment to meeting international agreements but stressed the necessity of concrete plans to achieve this.
