Less than two years ago, the UK was seen as a global leader in tackling the climate crisis as it hosted the United Nations’ COP26 conference. The nation’s net-zero target, the first of its type set by a major economy, was meant to be a standard for the rest of the world to aspire to. Today, it looks more like a battleground.
Politicians have clashed over the best way to balance voters’ concerns about the economy with the duty to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The debate – in which ministers have attacked a “twisted and dogmatic green outlook” – culminated on Tuesday (19 September) with several key commitments being watered down.
Sunak said while he is still committed to net zero, he wants the UK to take a "better, more proportionate" approach to reaching its targets.