U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced Wednesday that he's delaying by five years a ban on new gas and diesel cars that had been due to take effect in 2030, watering down climate goals that he said imposed 'unacceptable costs' on ordinary people.
Sunak has attacked emissions-cutting plans over the summer as he searches for a platform that would reverse his dismal standing in opinion polls. U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced Wednesday that he's delaying by five years a ban on new gas and diesel cars that had been due to take effect in 2030, watering down climate goals that he said imposed "unacceptable costs" on ordinary people.
Sunak said he was tossing out a series of environmental proposals, including new aviation taxes, measures to encourage car-pooling and taxes on meat. To meet net-zero goals, he said, the government would build more windfarms and nuclear reactors, invest in new green technologies and introduce new measures to protect nature.
U.K. greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by 46% from 1990 levels, mainly because of the almost complete removal of coal from electricity generation. The government had pledged to reduce emissions by 68% of 1990 levels by 2030 and to reach net zero by 2050. Environmentalists were not the only ones blindsided by the move. Automakers, who have invested heavily in the switch to electric vehicles, expressed frustration at the government's apparent change of plan.
"Our business needs three things from the U.K. government: ambition, commitment and consistency. A relaxation of 2030 would undermine all three," she said. Britain's Conservatives have been openly reassessing their climate change promises after a special election result in July that was widely seen as a thumbs-down from voters to a tax on polluting cars.
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UK leader Rishi Sunak delays ban on new gas and diesel cars by 5 yearsLONDON (AP) — Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says he’s delaying by five years a ban on new gas and diesel cars that had been due to take force in 2030. The move is among measures that water down green pledges the U.K. has made.
Read more »
UK leader Rishi Sunak delays ban on new gas and diesel cars by 5 yearsLONDON (AP) — Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says he’s delaying by five years a ban on new gas and diesel cars that had been due to take force in 2030. The move is among measures that water down green pledges the U.K. has made.
Read more »
UK leader Rishi Sunak delays ban on new gas and diesel cars by 5 yearsLONDON (AP) — Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says he’s delaying by five years a ban on new gas and diesel cars that had been due to take force in 2030. The move is among measures that water down green pledges the U.K. has made.
Read more »