2023-09-19 22:12:00
Eight climate goals in jeopardy BBC: London wants to postpone the end of combustion engines
September 20, 2023, 12:12 a.m. Listen to article
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The British Prime Minister announces a speech on climate protection that will be regarding more “proportionality”. According to the BBC, Sunak plans to reduce up to eight climate targets. The end of combustion cars, for example, should be postponed from 2030 to 2035.
According to a media report, the conservative British government wants to postpone the end of combustion engines. As the BBC reported in the evening, according to the plans, new vehicles with pure gasoline or diesel engines might be sold until 2035, instead of only until 2030 as previously planned. A total of eight climate protection measures might be overturned, such as the end of new installations Gas heating by 2035 and planned rules for better energy efficiency in houses, it said.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appeared to confirm the report in principle. He announced in a statement in the evening that he would give a speech in the coming days in response to the publication. In it he wanted to announce an “important long-term decision so that our country becomes the place that I know we all want for our children.” He added that the government remains committed to the goal of climate neutrality by 2050, but it should be achieved in a “more proportionate way”. “Our approach will always be pragmatic and ensure costs are not passed on to hard-working families.” He is also proud that Great Britain is leading the world in climate protection.
Johnson’s “green revolution” under scrutiny
The current 2030 target was set almost three years ago as a central part of then Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plans for a “green revolution”. It was only in July that the responsible minister, Michael Gove, reaffirmed the government’s support for this policy. But there is growing concern among environmental activists that Sunak is not prepared to pursue an ambitious climate policy before next year’s elections.
The speculation regarding a further watering down of the climate targets also caused great surprise in the conservative ruling party. Even the British delegation at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York was not inaugurated, reported Sky News reporter Sam Coates.
A spokesman for the opposition Labor Party described the government’s alleged change of course as a “complete farce”. The government must provide clarity immediately, he demanded. “The country cannot continue like this with a conservative government in chaos, stumbling from one crisis to the next.”
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