UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak revealed on Wednesday a decision to postpone the ban on new gasoline and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035.
He asserted that the earlier climate objectives placed undue financial burdens on the public. This decision has been met with frustration from environmental advocates, certain industry sectors, and opposition parties.
Nonetheless, some members of the Conservative Party have praised it for considering the costs of transitioning away from fossil fuels.
During his press briefing, Sunak also confirmed the weakening of a 2035 restriction on new natural gas home heaters and the elimination of a mandate for property owners to upgrade energy efficiency in their buildings.
While Sunak maintains that the UK will still aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2050, he emphasized a need for a “balanced and achievable” strategy.
In a pre-election statement, Sunak turned down several eco-friendly initiatives such as new air travel taxes, incentives for car-sharing, and meat taxes, though none of these measures had been officially established.
To reach the carbon neutrality target, Sunak detailed plans to expand wind and nuclear energy production, invest in innovative eco-friendly technologies, and implement nature conservation measures.
He defended the UK’s progress in transitioning to an eco-friendly economy, claiming it is leading globally in this domain. However, he warned against rapid changes that could alienate British citizens.
Despite a 46% reduction in the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions since 1990, primarily due to decreased coal usage in electricity production, critics have raised concerns about the pace of the country’s green transition.
