Rishi Sunak, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, has faced further criticism for his approach to climate change. Chris Stark, the head of the UK's climate change watchdog, has accused Sunak of setting back the country's efforts to combat climate change. Stark specifically pointed to Sunak's policies, including the decision to cut overseas aid and the lack of green measures in the recent budget, as hindering progress towards the UK's climate goals. Stark also expressed concern about the lack of a clear plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. These comments come as the UK prepares to host the COP26 climate summit in November 2021 [5408f400].
This latest criticism adds to the growing concerns about Sunak's commitment to addressing climate change. Previously, Sunak faced accusations of hypocrisy after advocating for a phase-out of fossil fuels at the UN COP28 climate summit in Dubai, despite supporting the expansion of oil and gas production in the UK. The UK's inconsistent approach to climate policy has been criticized by senior Conservatives and international delegates. The lack of consistency in the UK's approach has raised concerns about its credibility and ability to attract foreign investment. Sunak's struggle to lead on climate change has also raised doubts about his commitment and effectiveness in addressing this pressing global issue. His actions have not only damaged the UK's climate reputation but also undermined his chances of winning the upcoming general election [2fd9751b] [41b89064].
In addition to the criticism of Sunak, Chris Stark, the outgoing head of the UK's climate watchdog, has warned that the Prime Minister's net-zero speech has set the country back in its efforts to reach its climate goals. Stark stated that the speech, which delayed or scrapped some policies meant to cut carbon emissions, has made other countries view the UK as less ambitious on climate. The UK Government remains committed to reaching net zero by 2050 but has delayed a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles and weakened targets on home insulation and phasing out gas boilers. Stark also criticized the Scottish Government's decision to remove some of its own climate change targets, stating that it was not politically palatable [389be627].
The head of the Climate Change Committee (CCC), Chris Stark, has accused British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of setting the UK back on climate change and leaving the country at risk of falling behind other nations. Stark stated that Sunak had not prioritized the issue as much as his predecessors, sending a message that the UK is now less ambitious. The government spokesperson defended their record on net zero and ambitious climate change targets. Stark also criticized the SNP government in Scotland for ditching some climate targets, calling it "desperately disappointing." He called on Labour leader Keir Starmer to be more bold on climate change. Stark warned against leaving a vacuum where climate change denial could creep in [6fa061e2].
Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick criticized the New Zealand government's policies, stating that they are tailored for the wealthy and lack genuine care for the people. They highlighted policies such as boot camps for the young, benefit sanctions, and higher criminal penalties as punitive and ineffective. They also criticized the government for borrowing billions to cover the cost of cutting taxes for wealthy property investors and giving tax breaks to landlords instead of investing in public housing. The co-leaders called for more action on climate change and urged the public to protest and demand change. They emphasized the need to bring down emissions to prevent more severe storms and protect lives and businesses. Davidson and Swarbrick also criticized cancelled plans for investment in public transport and rail in Auckland and Wellington. The speech was delivered at the annual "State of the Planet" event in Auckland [cf61f0af].
National Party MP Nicola Willis is proposing a plan to transition New Zealand away from a reliance on fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources. The plan includes investing in research and development for clean energy technologies, supporting the growth of renewable energy industries, and implementing policies to reduce carbon emissions. Willis believes that this transition is necessary to address climate change and create a sustainable future for New Zealand. However, critics argue that the plan lacks specific details and may not be feasible without significant government funding. They also express concerns about the potential impact on jobs in the fossil fuel industry. The proposal is part of a broader discussion about the future of New Zealand's energy sector and the need to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability [6824433f].