In a letter to the prime minister on Tuesday, a cross-party group of MPs and peers warned him that Britain is sending “mixed signals” on the environment and urged him to stick to green policies and reject new fossil fuel projects.
The 23-strong group, organised by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Climate, includes Conservative former environment minister Lord Goldsmith and Conservative MP Pauline Latham.
Net Zero ‘Hassle’
It comes after last week’s Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election triggered debates in both main parties about the pace and costs of the UK’s green policies.The Conservatives, trailing far behind in polls, managed to hang on to the outer London constituency amid local concerns about the Labour mayor Sadiq Khan’s decision to expand the capital’s ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ), which will make it more costly for many people to drive.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he doesn’t think there is any doubt that the ULEZ policy cost his party the seat, and called on Mr. Khan to “reflect on this.”
Asked on Monday about the Tory MPs’ call for a rethink on net zero policies, Mr. Sunak said: “Actually I’m standing up for the British people because I’m also cognisant that we’re living through a time at the moment where inflation is high.
“That’s having an impact on household and families’ bills. I don’t want to add to that, I want to make it easier.
“So yes we’re going to make progress towards net zero but we’re going to do that in a proportionate and pragmatic way that doesn’t unnecessarily give people more hassle and more costs in their lives—that’s not what I’m interested in and prepared to do.”
Green Backlash
In their letter to the prime minister, the environmentalist lawmakers said: “The government should concentrate its efforts on making action on net zero easier, including by lifting the ban on onshore wind, embedding a net zero test across government and within the planning system, and accelerating the roll-out of energy efficiency measures which will bring bills down permanently.”They also called for Mr. Sunak to commit to attending the COP28 summit in Dubai in November and join other countries such as Denmark, France, and Germany in calling for an “urgent phase-out of fossil fuels.”
They added: “The Climate Change Committee’s recent 2023 Progress Report to Parliament is unequivocal that mixed signals on the UK’s commitment to serious climate action is undermining this work, damaging our reputation, and risks us permanently surrendering our status as a world leader on climate action.
“Now is a crucial moment for you to demonstrate to the world that the UK is not demoting itself to become a passive observer in international action on climate change, that we remain a trusted partner and committed to delivering on our promises.”
Caroline Lucas, the Green Party MP and chair of the climate APPG, said: “The planet is burning, and Rishi Sunak is asleep at the wheel. He’s been silent on global climate leadership and absent on domestic climate action for far too long.”
