Breaking: UK Government's Controversial Anti-Green Drive Undermines Climate Targets, Sparks Outrage

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to announce on Wednesday that a range of crucial climate targets will be postponed, in a move that has faced criticism from his predecessor Boris Johnson, his own lawmakers, businesses, and environmental experts. In an impromptu press conference, Sunak is expected to delay the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035, slow down the phasing out of gas boilers, and refuse to regulate efficiency for homeowners.

The content represents a sharp deviation from the longstanding political agreement on climate issues, announced merely two years following the UK hosting the pivotal COP26 climate conference in Glasgow. This decision severely undermines attempts to position Britain as a front-runner in the battle against the climate crisis. Instead, it intensifies a contentious electoral tactic by Sunak to challenge and dismiss policies aimed at reducing emissions, as he races to improve unfavorable public opinion polls ahead of an expected upcoming election.

Sunak aimed to portray the rollbacks as a more balanced approach towards achieving net zero. In a seldom-seen late-night announcement on Tuesday, following media reports in the British press about his proposed alterations, he criticized his Conservative predecessors as prime minister. Sunak accused politicians from various political parties of being deceptive about the expenses and compromises associated with combating climate change, asserting that they have chosen the path of least resistance by promising unlimited benefits.

On November 3, 2021, Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer in Britain, posed with a green briefcase resembling the red Budget Box at the COP26 UN Climate Summit in Glasgow. The Treasury announced that Sunak will unveil plans to establish Britain as the world's first net zero financial services center by 2050. The photograph, taken by Daniel LEAL, captures this significant moment. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)

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However, Boris Johnson, who served as prime minister during COP26 and was a strong advocate for achieving net zero emissions, responded to Sunak with a rare public criticism of his former chancellor who had now become a political rival.

In a statement, Johnson emphasized the importance of providing businesses with certainty regarding our net zero commitments. He urged Sunak to take action and ensure that firms have confidence in the government's continued dedication to achieving net zero and its ability to navigate the path forward.

Johnson emphasized the importance of maintaining our ambition for the country and urged against any setbacks or wavering. His remarks stirred a wave of concerns within Sunak's Conservative party regarding the expedited introduction of the plans following media leaks on Tuesday. Opposition lawmakers, businesses, climate groups, and the environmental faction of the party all criticized the proposed changes.

The production line at the BMW Mini plant in Cowley, Oxford, is bustling with activity as BMW Minis are being manufactured. The company recently revealed its intention to produce the next generation of electric Minis in Oxford, following the successful acquisition of a funding package from the Government. This captivating photograph, taken on Monday, September 11, 2023, showcases the dynamic scene at the plant. (Photo by Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty Images)

Joe Giddens/PA Images/Getty Images

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Conservative politician Alok Sharma, who presided over the significant COP26 conference, expressed his concerns to the BBC on Wednesday. He stated that deviating from the cross-party agreement on net zero would have detrimental effects on business confidence. Sharma further stated that he firmly believed that any political party choosing to take this route would not gain electoral advantage.

Britain is bound by law to achieve net-zero emissions, wherein the country would counterbalance its release of greenhouse gases with an equal amount of removal from the atmosphere, no later than 2050. Sunak reassured that the recent modifications to the UK's policies would not hinder the nation's progress towards this goal. However, the Climate Change Committee, an independent advisor to the government on environmental matters, released a report in June expressing disapproval of the UK's net-zero plans and highlighting the frequent failure to meet targets in nearly all sectors.

"Rishi Sunak must reconsider his decision and avoid committing the biggest blunder of his premiership, which would result in the UK forfeiting the chance to seize an opportunity of unprecedented magnitude. By doing so, we would squander the potential for substantial economic growth, employment opportunities, and long-term prosperity," cautioned Chris Skidmore, the former Conservative energy minister, in an interview with the PA Media news agency.

Sunak has attacked emissions-cutting plans over the summer as he searches for a platform that would reverse his dismal standing in opinion polls.

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Sunak has embraced an anti-green stance following his party's surprising and narrow victory in a by-election held in the outermost western region of London in July. This election was primarily focused on proposals to expand London's low-emissions zone, where drivers of highly polluting vehicles would be charged a daily fee for driving in the area.

The Conservative party led by the Prime Minister is facing significant unpopularity among voters. Opinion polls range from predicting a comfortable defeat to a potential historic wipeout in the upcoming general election, which must be scheduled by January 2025 at the latest.

In light of this situation, and with the government facing limitations in implementing significant fiscal changes due to a struggling economy, Sunak has prioritized various cultural issues and advocated for socially conservative policies in order to appeal to the right-wing base of his party.

However, recent polls indicate that the climate crisis has become an increasingly prominent concern for British voters, and the opposition Labour party has criticized Sunak for what they perceive as a retreat from Britain's previous role as a global leader. In response, Mike Childs, the head of policy at Friends of the Earth, stated that it would be morally indefensible to back away from key climate commitments while the world is grappling with extreme flooding and wildfires.

A July by-election in Uxbridge and South Ruislip was dominated by London's Labour mayor's plans to extend a low-emissions zone.

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Wednesdays announcement comes at the same time as the Climate Ambition Summit at the UN General Assembly summit in New York, which Sunak is not attending.

Sunak's plans were met with criticism from British businesses on Wednesday. Lisa Brankin, Chair of Ford UK, emphasized the need for ambition, commitment, and consistency from the UK Government, stating that a relaxation of the 2030 deadline would undermine these crucial factors. Ed Matthew, Campaigns Director for the independent climate change think tank E3G, expressed concern that these actions would increase household bills and harm the UK's competitiveness in the field of clean technology compared to other countries.

Rishi Sunak seems prepared to surrender, as the United States, China, and the European Union surge forward in green growth. The potential economic consequences for the UK could be devastating. Additional reporting by CNN's Luke McGee and Laura Paddison.