During times of escalating energy costs and political debates, the UK faces significant challenges and setbacks in its climate change policies under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s administration.
UK Has a ‘Setback’ on Climate Change
Greenhouse gases from the UK fell last year due to high energy bills, but Sunak is on the chopping board for climate change ‘setbacks.’
Head of CCC Voices His Concerns
Chris Stark, head of the Climate Change Committee (CCC), voiced his concerns to the BBC, suggesting that the Prime Minister has not prioritised climate change as much as previous leaders.
The Climate Change Committee Reports
The CCC is a statutory body established by the Climate Change Act 2008 in the UK. It provides independent advice to the government on climate change issues and assesses their progress towards legally binding targets.
Sunak Criticised on Priorities
Sunak was criticised for scaling back on its climate change ambitions, risking the UK falling behind other countries.
Main Risk Factors
Stark believes the main risk factors lie in heating homes, industrial emissions, transport, and farming systems.
Climate Change Was in Better Hands Before Sunak
He said the country had made extensive progress under Theresa May and Boris Johnson, but Sunak’s watering down on environmental policies is less promising.
Delaying Bans on Petrol and Diesel Vehicles Speaks Volumes
Sunak delivered a speech last year announcing delays or cancellations on specific policies, such as a delayed ban on new petrol and diesel car sales and weakening the targets to phase out gas boilers.
Shift in the Green Policy Is What’s Causing the Lag
Stark believes this shift in the green policy has taken the UK from the forefront, stating, “I think it’s set us back.”
Delaying Bans on Petrol and Diesel Vehicles Speaks Volumes
The GovernmentGovernment has stated that despite this, it remains committed to achieving net zero by 2050, with Sunak insisting this is the most realistic approach.
Reduction of 46 3% in 2022
Carbon dioxide has been the dominant greenhouse gas emitted in the UK. However, the UK has reduced it by 46,3% ( 279, 5 MtCO2) since 1990 to 324,2 MtCO2 in 2022.
UK Ahead of the G20 Economy in Reducing Emissions
The UK has further reduced more emissions than any other G20 economy. They fell by 5.4% in 2023 compared to 2022, making an overall decrease of 53% since 1990.
Leading the Major Economies
The significant drop last year was due to higher electricity imports and the hike in the cost of living but ensured that the UK was the first major economy to halve its carbon emissions.
Cost of Living to Account for Decrease
This decrease in emissions is mainly due to the powerhouses, as the country was burning less gas for electricity and cutting down on heating due to high energy prices.
Scotland Aborts One of Its Climate Change Goals
Stark mentioned that the SNP government in Edinburgh had also aborted one of its climate targets, which was disappointing as it moved the target framework for 2030 and 2040.
Scots Over Ambitious Goal for Emissions
He did communicate that the 2030 goal was over-ambitious, saying, “I love ambition, but it only matters if you actually deliver against that.”
The goal of Net Zero by 2050
The UK has set a legally binding goal of reaching net zero by 2050 and has put one of the most ambitious goals of reducing emissions from the manufacturing sector by two-thirds by 2035.
Petrol and Diesel to Shift to Electric Vehicles
By 2035, new petrol and diesel cars will no longer be sold in the UK to reduce carbon emissions, encouraging a shift towards electric vehicles.
Political Parties With Different Ideas of a Greener Economy
Stark is adamant that politics and climate-change talks cause ‘fear’ amongst people. However, with elections and two big parties opposing ideas on a greener economy, it’ll be interesting to see if this sways decisions.
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The post Empty Promises: UK Failing in Climate Change Action Under Sunaks’s Watch first appeared on Edge Media.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Christie Cooper.