Govt responds to Environmental Audit Committee and CCC over net zero policies

After announcing plans to weaken a number of green policies last month, the government has today issued a response to the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), which requested further information about the how the changes will impact on the UK’s climate targets. The government has also issued a response to the annual progress report published by its independent climate advisers, the Climate Change Committee (CCC), in June.

Responding to the news, Friends of the Earth climate campaigner, Danny Gross, said:

“No matter how it tries to spin it, the fact remains that the UK government is well off track for meeting both its legally-binding sixth carbon budget and its international pledge to cut emissions by two thirds by 2030.

“Tougher action, such as a comprehensive home-insulation programme, is urgently needed to make up for the shortfall. But with Rishi Sunak’s recent preference for weakening green commitments, the prospects are far from encouraging.

“Ministers mustn’t be allowed to shirk their duty to act on the climate crisis. We are already taking the government to court next year over its climate strategy and are prepared to take further legal action if its revised policies fall short of what is required.

“Accelerating the transition to a carbon-free future isn’t just good for the environment, it will also bring huge economic benefits with new jobs, cheaper bills and increased energy security.”