Can Rishi Sunak's environmental assessment pose a risk to the UK's net zero goals?

The UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, expressed his commitment to addressing climate change and sticking to international agreements. However, he has made changes to measures that were designed to meet emissions reduction targets. Sunak assured that the government is still committed to achieving the net zero target by 2050, but emphasized the need for a more pragmatic and realistic approach. The UK has made notable progress in cutting emissions, particularly through the switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. However, critics argue that these achievements are the easier ones and that progress has been slow. The recent changes announced by Sunak, such as the delay in banning petrol and diesel car sales by 2030, have raised concerns among experts who believe it may hinder efforts to meet climate goals. The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) estimates that these changes could cost British households nearly £8 billion in higher bills over the next decade. The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has emphasized that meeting the 2050 target will require significant investment, but the overall cost is estimated to be less than 1% of GDP over the next 30 years. The importance of taking action and the potential consequences of climate inaction on a global scale have been highlighted by scientists.