Sunak can’t afford to hit snooze on climate action

Today the Prime Minister confirmed that the UK will roll back commitments aimed at helping the UK reach net-zero carbon emissions.

Speaking from Downing Street, Rishi Sunak confirmed that the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK would be extended from 2030 to 2035 and that households will only have to install more more environmentally friendly heat pumps when they're changing their boiler anyway, and not until 2035.

Ahead of the announcement, major car manufacturers including Ford and Stellantis, and energy giant E.ON expressed anger at the u-turn, saying it undermined business confidence in the UK.

Dr Charles Rose, Chairman of Hainsford Renewable Energy and member of the cross party UK Trade and Business Commission said,

“The Prime Minister says he’s dealing with reality, but the reality is that delaying these policies will cost us more down the line, and is already undermining private investment in the UK.

“At a time when the US is pumping billions into cutting emissions and China is leading on green tech, we can’t afford for Sunak to hit the snooze button on climate action.”