Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been criticized by the head of the government's advisory body for setting Britain back in its efforts to tackle climate change. Chris Stark, who is set to step down
as chief executive of the independent Climate Change Committee, expressed concern that UK climate policy has become less ambitious, placing the country behind other nations in addressing crucial issues such as heating and industrial emissions.
In an interview excerpt shared ahead of its broadcast, Stark emphasized the difficulty of recovering lost ground in climate policy, stating, "I think it's set us back." This criticism comes amidst Sunak's decision to scale back some measures aimed at achieving net zero emissions, citing the need to address cost-of-living concerns and maintain public support.
Stark highlighted the necessity for more concerted efforts in areas such as home heating, industrial emissions management, farming practices, and transportation systems. He expressed a sense of vulnerability, stating, "I definitely feel we're at risk."
In response to Stark's comments, a government spokesperson defended Britain's climate record, citing achievements such as being the first major economy to halve greenhouse gas emissions since 1990 and enacting ambitious climate targets for 2035. However, they emphasized the need to achieve net zero goals sustainably and transparently, taking into account energy security and the concerns of citizens. Photo by Simon Walker / HM Treasury,, Wikimedia commons.
