British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is considering weakening the UK’s commitments to net zero in a bombshell policy shift. Sunak is expected to announce policy changes that would roll back the UK’s phase-out of gas cars and gas boiler installations.
According to the BBC, Sunak may announce that the ban on the sale of new gas cars, which was set by PM Boris Johnson for 2030, will be pushed back to 2035. Additionally, the phase-out of gas boiler installations by 2035 will be weakened to just 80% by the same year. Other anticipated rollbacks include no measures to encourage carpooling and no new energy efficiency regulations for homes.
The news of these rollbacks has garnered overwhelming anger on Twitter, with many expressing their disappointment and concern. Sunak’s party has faced criticism for their handling of various issues since the pandemic, and these policy changes are seen as a desperate attempt to gain political favor.
It is worth noting that Sunak is a member of the Conservative Party, and these policy rollbacks are not set by another political party but by former Conservative PM Boris Johnson himself. Sunak’s popularity in polls has reportedly hit a record low, adding to the speculation that these policy changes are an attempt to appease voters.
The UK, once hailed as a world leader in net zero, risks throwing away the very policies that earned it that title. This announcement is likely to face significant opposition and rebellion within Sunak’s own party.
In conclusion, this policy shift by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to weaken the UK’s commitments to net zero is causing uproar and is seen as a desperate attempt to gain political favor. The rollbacks on the phase-out of gas cars and gas boiler installations, among other measures, have drawn criticism and disappointment. It remains to be seen how this decision will unfold and what impact it will have on the UK’s climate goals.
Sources:
– [BBC](source-not-provided)
– [Electrek](source-not-provided)
Definitions:
– Net zero: A condition where the greenhouse gas emissions produced are offset by the removal of an equivalent amount of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, resulting in no net increase in the overall greenhouse gas concentration.
– Gas cars: Vehicles that are powered by internal combustion engines that run on gasoline or petrol.
– Gas boilers: Devices that heat water to provide central heating and hot water in buildings, using natural gas or propane as fuel.