Rishi Sunak’s delays to net zero targets have divided his party, united industry with environment and attracted criticism from the government’s climate advisor.

The government was widely accused of causing confusion and lacking clarity, certainty and consistency. The announcement was welcomed by some Conservative right wingers.

During a press conference in Downing Street this evening, the prime minister announced:

• Ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and gas boilers delayed from 2030 to 2035
• Grants under boiler upgrade scheme increased by 50% to £7,500
• Boiler switch exemption for poorest households
• New oil and gas exploration licences in the North Sea to continue
• No “watering down” of net zero targets

The prime minister also tried to take credit for scrapping proposals that were not government policy, such as taxes on eating meat and flying and requirements to sort rubbish into seven different bins.

Link to speech

Key reaction

Government advisor

“UK further away from meeting climate commitments” – Climate Change Committee

Professor Piers Forster, chair of the CCC, said:

“The Government not only has a legal obligation to meet its Net Zero 2050 target. It also has a commitment to hit the interim emission reduction targets it has put into law.

“The Climate Change Committee has an obligation to assess progress towards those targets. In June, we said in our Progress Report that we were less confident in the Government’s ability to deliver its 2030 and 2035 commitments than we were a year previously.

“We need [to] go away and do the calculations but today’s announcement is likely to take the UK further away from being able to meet its legal commitments. This, coupled with the recent unsuccessful offshore wind auction, gives us concern.

“More action is needed and we await the Government’s new plan for meeting their targets and look forward to receiving their response to our Progress Report, expected at the end of October.”

Politics

Anger over announcement during parliamentary recess – Commons speaker

A spokesperson for Sir Lindsay Hoyle said:

“If he had the power, the Speaker would recall the House immediately – and he is writing to the Prime Minister today, to express that view in the strongest of terms.

“This is a major policy shift, and it should have been announced when the House was sitting.

“Members with very different views on this issue have expressed their disquiet on the way this has been handled, especially as the Commons rose early last night, so there was plenty of time for this statement to be made.

“Instead, the unelected House of Lords will have the opportunity to scrutinise this change in direction this afternoon, when it hears the Government’s response to a private notice question on this issue.

“This is not the way to do business. Ministers are answerable to MPs – we do not have a presidential system here.

“The House of Commons is where laws are made, national debates are had – and where statements should be made.”

“Chaotic approach to running the country” – Labour

Ed Miliband, the shadow energy secretary, said the prime minister was “rattled, chaotic and out of his depth”:

“Today is an act of weakness from a desperate, directionless prime minister, dancing to the tune of a small minority of his party. Liz Truss crashed the economy and Rishi Sunak is trashing our economic future.

“Having delivered the worst cost of living crisis in generations, the prime minister today loads more costs onto the British people. Delaying the phase out of petrol and diesel cars will add billions in costs to families and damage investor confidence in the UK, as we have seen from the furious business reaction today.

“This is a prime minister who simply doesn’t understand and cannot grasp for Britain the opportunities for jobs and our economy of driving forward with action on clean energy.

“After today, it is clearer than ever that only Labour can create jobs, lower bills, deliver energy security for Britain, and tackle the climate crisis.”

“Sunak has rolled over to right wing” – Liberal Democrats

Ed Davey, Lib Dem leader, said:

“This is not leadership from Rishi Sunak, this is putting the UK at the back of the queue as the rest of the world races to embrace the industries of tomorrow.

“The prime minister’s legacy will be the hobbling of our country’s future economy as he ran scared from the right wing of his own party. It is selfish and it epitomises his weakness.

“At the very time we need to stand up and lead, Sunak rolled over.”

“Lack of clarity, certainty and consistency” – government’s reviewer of net zero strategy

The Conservative, Chris Skidmore, said investors were confused and did not know what to do in the light of the announcement. He said:

“There is [now] a complete lack of clarity, certainty and consistency over what the UK’s Net Zero pathway is.”

He said:

Any delay to our net zero commitments will be at the detriment of the UK’s jobs, investment and economic growth. We risk destabilising business confidence in the UK that would have created thousands of jobs across the country. People will pay the price through higher bills and prices, leaving the UK stranded with the windustries of the past rather than the future.”

“We cannot afford to falter now” – Boris Johnson MP

The former prime minister said in a statement:

“Business must have certainty about our Net Zero commitments.

“This country leads on tackling climate change and in creating new green technology. The green Industrial Revolution is already generating huge numbers of high quality jobs and helping to drive growth and level up our country.

“Business and industry – such as motor manufacturing – are rightly making vast investments in these new technologies. It is those investments that will produce a low carbon future – at lower costs for British families.

“It is crucial that we give those businesses confidence that government is still committed to Net Zero and can see the way ahead. We cannot afford to falter now or in any way lose our ambition for this country.”

“Lift moratorium on fracking” – Liz Truss MP

A statement by the UK’s shortest-serving prime minister said:

“I welcome the delay on banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars as well as the delay on the ban on oil and gas boilers. This is particularly important for rural areas.

“I now urge the government to abolish the windfall tax on oil and gas and lift the fracking ban, which would reduce people’s energy bills and make the UK more competitive.”

“Pure political game playing” – Caroline Lucas MP

Ms Lucas (Green), chair of the climate change all party parliamentary group, said:

“This is pure political game-playing from Rishi Sunak – he clearly doesn’t care about the climate in the slightest. He knows green policies will make energy bills cheaper, homes warmer, our air cleaner and will protect the environment for generations to come. Bending to the misinformed demands of a handful of Tory backbenchers, under the misapprehension of delivering short-term political gain, will leave people paying the price for his government’s failures”.

“Risks to Conservative’s hard-won reputation” – Conservative Environment Network:

The group’s director, Sam Hall, said:

“This was an unnecessary speech that risks damaging the Conservative Party’s hard-won reputation on environmental issues.

“Today the PM has changed little of substance besides delaying the transition to electric cars.

“Sticking to the 2030 deadline would have saved UK motorists money, supported car firms that have invested in new EV factories, and unlocked crucial investment in charge-point infrastructure.”

“Move to intelligent net zero” – Sir Jacob Rees Mogg

The former energy secretary under Liz Truss said:

“The problem with net zero and having regulations coming in so quickly was that it was a scheme of the elite on the backs of the least well off.

“Rishi Sunak has changed that. He is going with the grain of the nation and moving for ‘intelligent net zero’ by 2050, but not putting in costly bans in the next few years.”

“PM must stick with net-zero policies” – senior cross-party MPs

The chairs of several all party parliamentary groups said:

“Rishi Sunak must maintain his Government’s commitment to delivering net zero policies to cut household costs and support business, say senior cross-party MPs.

“Existing policies must not be weakened. Any backsliding from the Prime Minister on his climate change and energy policies would hit consumer bank balances and undermine business stability, through higher energy bills in leaky homes, and missed investment and job creation in green industries.

“The policies which must be maintained include the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, in order to cut emissions in line carbon budgets and to provide certainty for industry to invest in UK electric vehicle manufacturing and charging infrastructure.”

“Economic and environmental vandalism” – Green Party

Green Party co-leader, Carla Denyer, said:

“This is nothing short of economic and environmental vandalism that will mean higher energy bills, fewer jobs and lost investment all while weakening the UK’s climate action even further.”

She said:

“This is a desperate and dangerous u-turn from the Prime Minister which will throw the UK economy, the wellbeing of its citizens and the future of our environment out the window in a misguided attempt to create divisions for political gain.

“More than anything this speech sounded like an admission of the government’s failure to implement climate policy in a way that brings people with them while showing the benefits of a more sustainable future.”

“Hard to see how legally-binding carbon targets will be met” – House of Lords committee

Lady Parminter, chair of the environment and climate change committee, said she was “dismayed by the announcement and would be writing to Rishi Sunak to set out the members’ concerns:

“The overwhelming evidence we have received so far in our current electric vehicles (EVs) inquiry is that both industry and the public need policy certainty, consistency, and clear leadership on the journey to net zero. We had that same message from stakeholders consistently in our previous inquiries into the boiler upgrade scheme and into behaviour change needed to meet carbon reduction goals.

“The target to end the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2030 was welcomed by all the industry we took evidence from. It is they who are crucial in providing the low-carbon products and services we need to get to net zero.

“Given a third of all emission reductions required by 2035 need to come from individuals and households adopting new technologies, choosing low-carbon products or services and reducing carbon-intensive consumption it is hard to see how our legally-binding carbon targets will now be met.”

40% less likely to vote Tory if government weakens climate commitments – new polling data

A poll of 2,000 people for Channel 4 News by FindOutNow showed that more than 40% of people would be less likely to vote Conservative at the next election of the government did not stick to its climate change commitments. Just over 12% said they were now more likely to vote Conservative.

Campaigns and think tanks

“Environmentally reckless and economically inept” – Friends of the Earth

The organisation’s Mike Childs, said:

“Rishi Sunak is being environmentally reckless and economically inept.

“Building a green economy is the best way to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, boost energy security and strengthen the economy. Weakening these green policies will simply undermine business confidence and put British jobs at risk.

“The government is already being taken to court over its weak and feeble climate action plan, which we say is unlawful. If this current package is weakened further, and in a way that’s not transparent about delivery risks, then further legal challenges are inevitable.

“With the world in the midst of a climate crisis we need bold political leadership – not another Prime Minister posturing to a narrow section of his own party for perceived short-term electoral gains. The consequences won’t just fall on people in the UK – they will reverberate globally.”

“Sunak must explain how he will met net zero commitments” – Greenpeace UK

Greenpeace UK’s policy director, Doug Parr, said:

“Sunak is taking the public for fools. He claims he’s helping ordinary people by playing politics with the climate, but we know the real winners will be big corporations like the oil and gas lobby.

“Rowing back on home insulation and commitments to help people move away from gas will ensure we stay at the mercy of volatile fossil fuels and exploitative energy companies.

“It will also spook international investors who will be looking for genuine government commitment on the green economy, costing the UK jobs and opportunities.

“The many scandals we face like the cost of living, inequality, and the energy crisis can be fixed with the same solutions we know will tackle the climate crisis.

“Sunak must explain how we will meet our net zero commitments by rowing back on all of the policies to get us anywhere near it.”

“Announcement designed to grab headlines” – Good Law Project

“The Prime Minister’s destructive new plans are designed only to grab headlines and a political gamble to please the right wing of his party. But the stakes for the environment are much higher. And most people agree that we must do better than this – and we can.

“We believe the Government’s current policies to reduce emissions are already inadequate and unlawful. The last thing we need is for them to be weakened further.

“In fact, through our latest legal action, we have forced the Government to disclose to us that its latest net zero plan is already fraught with risks.

“We are now going back to court to demand the Government reveals how successful the Carbon Budget Delivery Plan is likely to be for each individual government department.

“Ministers have refused to make these ‘risk tables’ public and in the next few months we’ll have a hearing in the High Court to try and force the Government to publish them for all to see.

“This is the second time we have taken legal action against the Government over net zero. Last year, we teamed up with Friends of the Earth and ClientEarth, and went to the High Court to successfully force the Government to rewrite its woefully inadequate net zero strategy.

“But the renewed plan isn’t up to scratch either – and to make matters worse it is now about to be stripped back further. We want to help the public and Parliament hold the Government to account on its new net zero strategy and to stop Ministers from hiding vital information.”

Changes could cost households almost £8bn – Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit

Analysis by the ECIU concluded:

“Policy changes announced today by the Prime Minister could cost British households almost £8bn in higher bills over the next decade, and more if gas prices spike again, due to cancelling new energy efficiency regulations for the private rental sector.

“There could be further impacts for household bills due to changes to the phase-out of oil boilers for off-gas grid homes.

“Costs to the NHS due to poor housing could reach £1.2bn a year, or £12bn over the next decade.

“More generally, if gas demand remains high across the economy, the UK could pay an extra £150bn over 10 years to overseas gas producers, compared to if the Government introduced policies to ambitiously cut gas demand.”

Jess Ralston, the ECIU’s energy analyst, said:

“This looks chaotic and not the way long-term policy should be made around important issues, with emergency cabinet meetings and investors spooked.

“Quite the opposite of an honest debate, the implication that any of these policies were going to affect the cost of living here and now is untrue. In fact, the PM has sided with landlords over renters, putting their energy bills and cost of living up by ducking the improvement of rules on energy efficiency. That doesn’t make any sense when excess cold in homes costs the NHS £1.2bn per year and renters are amongst those with the lowest incomes. As the North Sea declines, if the UK fails to shift to heat pumps, we’ll end up reliant on importing ever larger quantities of foreign gas.”

Industry

“Announcement undermines ambition, commitment and consistency” – Ford UK

Lisa Brankin, chair of Ford UK, said:

“Three years ago the government announced the UK’s transition to electric new car and van sales from 2030. The auto industry is investing to meet that challenge.

Ford has announced a global $50 billion commitment to electrification, launching nine electric vehicles by 2025. The range is supported by £430 million invested in Ford’s UK development and manufacturing facilities, with further funding planned for the 2030 timeframe.

“This is the biggest industry transformation in over a century and the UK 2030 target is a vital catalyst to accelerate Ford into a cleaner future. Our business needs three things from the UK government: ambition, commitment and consistency. A relaxation of 2030 would undermine all three. We need the policy focus trained on bolstering the EV market in the short term and supporting consumers while headwinds are strong: infrastructure remains immature, tariffs loom and cost-of-living is high.”

“Clear consistent message needed” – SMMT

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said:

“The automotive industry has and continues to invest billions in new electric vehicles as the decarbonisation of road transport is essential if net zero is to be delivered.

“Government has played a key part in bringing some of that investment to the UK, and Britain can – and should – be a leader in zero emission mobility both as a manufacturer and market. To make this a reality, however, consumers must want to make the switch, which requires from Government a clear, consistent message, attractive incentives and charging infrastructure that gives confidence rather than anxiety. Confusion and uncertainty will only hold them back.”

“Mis-step on many levels”

Chris Norbury, chief executive of the electricity supplier, E.ON UK, said:

“There is no ‘green vs cheap’ debate, it’s a false argument that only serves to delay the vital work of transforming our economy – work that creates more affordable and secure energy while also boosting jobs and skills, often in the areas of the country most at risk of being left behind.

“This is a mis-step on many levels. From a business perspective, companies wanting to invest in the UK need long term certainty to create the jobs and economic prosperity the country needs. Equally, in our homes and communities we risk condemning people to many more years of living in cold and draughty homes that are expensive to heat, in cities clogged with dirty air from fossil fuels, missing out on the economic regeneration this ambition brings.

“Net zero is an opportunity to transform our economy and the lives of people across the country and the Government needs to think again before abandoning our climate commitments for this decade.

“Just yesterday we were appointed Strategic Energy Partner for the city of Coventry. This is ground level delivery of the energy transition designed to help people and deliver cleaner greener communities. This is happening, there is a real desire for it around the country.”

“Sends the wrong signals” – techUK

Julian David, chief executive of the UK tech industry association, said:

“To make the long term investments necessary to achieve Net Zero businesses need a clear and stable policy environment. Weakening targets sends the wrong signals, deters investment and turns heads towards countries with more stable regulatory environments. It places the UK’s prospects as a clean tech leader at serious risk. The Government’s own commissioned review said the net zero transition is the economic opportunity of the 21st century, and the economic benefits will be mostly felt by countries who move early and encourage the most R&D and innovation. “