Rishi Sunak set to rip up net zero policies ahead of election

A major environmental policy u-turn appears imminent judging from the steady flow of leaks hitting social media at present. Prime Minister Sunak may opt to rein back on policies such as the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars which is scheduled to take effect from 2030.

The Guardian reports on this news here

More here from the BBC

And the response from Green MP Caroline Lucas has been emphatic. She has tweeted:

“Game, set & match to the climate dinosaurs?” She added: “Sunak is economically illiterate, historically inaccurate and environmentally bone-headed. This absurd rollback will mean higher energy bills, colder homes, fewer jobs, more air pollution & more climate chaos.”

A recent BBC Radio 4 Briefing Room programme looked at the challenges and costs of meeting the net zero target which has been at the forefront of environmental policy in recent years.

Can we meet the net zero challenge? The Briefing Room

As wildfires tear across southern Europe the need for urgent action on climate change becomes ever clearer. Reducing carbon emissions is a global challenge but can we meet it?

I think we can expect a serious backlash if and when Sunak's proposals are made public later on this week.

Ford UK have weighed in pretty quickly. Ford UK chair Lisa Brankin is quoted as saying:

“Our business needs three things from the UK government: ambition, commitment and consistency. A relaxation of 2030 would undermine all three.”