The government’s plans to tackle the climate emergency have been thrown into turmoil as officials put major green targets up for review and a minister suggested a key net zeo pledge could be watered down.
Downing Street was forced to insist its pledge to reach net zero by 2050 “remains”, but the prime minister’s spokesman said Rishi Sunak is “making sure we listen to consumers and business”.
Plans that have come under scrutiny are the phasing out of gas boilers by 2035 and the banning of new petrol and diesel car sales by 2030.
Mr Sunak’s spokesman said both initiatives “remain our commitment”, but the prime minister said he would take a “proportionate and pragmatic” approach to make it “easier” for households already grappling with financial pressures from high inflation.
No 10 also made clear that ministers are scrutinising existing net zero pledges “in light of some of the cost-of-living challenges”.
“I don’t want to add to that, I want to make it easier,” Mr Sunak said during a visit to Worcestershire.
He added: “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.”
His comments came hours after foreign office minister Andrew Mitchell was initially unclear about the 2030 petrol and diesel car ban until he insisted, after coming under pressure, that it “will remain in place”.
Asked if it would remain that way, he said: “Well, all I can tell you is it is in place”, but when challenged again said: “Well, I’m afraid I can’t prophesise for the future.”
It follows days of pressure on the government from Tory backbenchers to delay or drop plans to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, in a bid to win back voters.
The cost to consumers of green policies has been thrust into the spotlight by the Tories’ narrow win in the Uxbridge by-election, which was driven almost entirely by opposition to London mayor Sadiq Khan’s expansion of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (Ulez).
It is understood ministers will draw lines around some net zero policies, while others face being watered down or scrapped. The Times reported on Monday that officials are considering an “Aston Martin exemption” to the 2030 deadline, which would give small carmakers longer to convert to electric vehicles.
Low-traffic neighbourhoods also face a ban and landlords will be given longer to meet energy efficiency targets, it said.
It came as Mr Sunak said he does not want policies tackling the climate crisis to “hassle” families.
Sunak the government will move towards net zero in a way that doesn’t give people “more hassle”
(Getty Images)
The prime minister said he wants to act in a “proportionate and pragmatic” way that does not “unnecessarily” affect lives as he comes under pressure from the right of his party.
He insisted on Monday that reaching net zero is “of course” important to him, following accusations he is “uninterested” in the environment.
But he did not specifically recommit to the ban on selling new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 amid tensions over policies to tackle the emergency.
The Conservatives narrowly held on to Uxbridge last week and Tory MPs have been calling for Mr Sunak to reconsider his environmental plans.
Former business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Danny Kruger, the co-leader of the New Conservatives group of Tory MPs elected since the Brexit referendum, have been urging the prime minister to reconsider the deadlines for green initiatives.
Sir Jacob said that scrapping “unpopular, expensive” policies would be a “real opportunity” and proposed getting rid of the 2030 ban announced during Boris Johnson’s premiership.
But Mr Sunak has also faced allegations from some quarters of the Conservatives for environmental apathy, with Tory peer Lord Zac Goldsmith resigning and accusing Mr Sunak of being “uninterested” in the environment.
London mayor Sadiq Khan is sticking by his policy of expanding the £12.50 daily charge for vehicles that fall short of emissions standards to the capital’s suburbs.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer had urged him to “reflect” on the policy designed to cut air pollution after Labour failed to seize Uxbridge and South Ruislip by 495 votes.
