Sunak rolls back Net Zero policies

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has set out a new approach to net zero.

The plan includes delaying the ban on new diesel and petrol vehicles to 2035 (instead of 2030). He said: "It should be you the consumer that makes that choice, not government forcing you to do it."

There will be no new energy efficient targets on homes, with policies that would force landlords to upgrade energy efficiency in their homes scrapped.

Sunak also mentioned other proposals that had been touted that he claimed would not be approved - this includes policies on carpooling, recycling and a tax on meat.

Despite the changes, the target to be net zero by 2050 still remains in place.

Sunak said: "This country is proud to be a world leader in reaching Net Zero by 2050.

"But we simply won’t achieve it unless we change.

"We’re now going to have a better, more honest debate about how we get there.

"We’ll now have a more pragmatic, proportionate, and realistic approach that eases the burdens on families.

"All while doubling down on the new green industries of the future."

However, the announcement has been widely criticised.

Dr Nina Skorupska CBE, chief executive of the REA (Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology) said: “While badged as a 'pragmatic response' to the cost-of-living crisis and the UK's (undoubted) good progress to date on cutting emissions, it is hard not to see today's news as a retrograde step arguably designed to play to the PM's base before party-conference season and pre-election. Furthermore, Sunak feeds into the ongoing misguided media rhetoric of “net zero extremists” picking high profile policies to roll back on in the hope to garner votes, while leaving the industry a few positive measures through an effective repackaging of ongoing commitments.
 
“The renewables and clean tech industry have long called on government to support all households in the energy transition. This could have been achieved through more consistent policies over the last five years, and today’s statements mark an admission of government’s previous failures.
 
“The purpose of long-term targets is to allow time for people to make the transition and for government to support them in doing so, and delays risk making the transition more expensive, while damaging UK competitiveness in terms of green investment. It is curious as to how government intends for the UK to remain a world leader by retracting on commitments - Industry urgently requires details on the Prime Minister’s new approach as a whole."

Stew Horne, head of policy at Energy Saving Trust, said: "It’s hugely disappointing that fundamental green targets are being delayed. Our over-reliance on fossil fuels for heat and power is the root cause of the high cost of energy.

"The economic benefits of policies which support people to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, reducing energy bills and carbon, have been robustly proven.   

"Shifting to renewable power and sustainable transport are also solutions to support the transition to net zero. Other nations are already leading the way in implementing policies that cut costs and carbon emissions simultaneously.  

"As the climate emergency escalates, now is the time for scaling up ambition and action to provide industry and public confidence and bring down costs. Now is not the time to backtrack on targets and risk behind left behind whilst the rest of the world is making the just transition to net zero".

Friends of the Earth’s head of policy, Mike Childs, said: “Rishi Sunak is being environmentally reckless and economically inept.

“Building a green economy is the best way to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, boost energy security and strengthen the economy. Weakening these green policies will simply undermine business confidence and put British jobs at risk.

“The government is already being taken to court over its weak and feeble climate action plan, which we say is unlawful. If this current package is weakened further, and in a way that’s not transparent about delivery risks, then further legal challenges are inevitable.

“With the world in the midst of a climate crisis we need bold political leadership – not another Prime Minister posturing to a narrow section of his own party for perceived short-term electoral gains. The consequences won’t just fall on people in the UK – they will reverberate globally.”

Image by John Howard from Pixabay