Review of net zero measures a sensible approach says Paisley

North Antrim MP Ian Paisley has said the government’s decision to review some of its ‘net zero’ targets is a sensible approach in light of the cost-of-living crisis.

The statement comes after Rishi Sunak has been criticised for announcing plans to roll back on climate change commitments.

In a speech from Downing Street, the Prime Minister said he believes “we risk losing the consent of the British people” for net zero policies without a change in approach and denied he was “watering down” green targets.

The main points included the ban on new petrol and diesel cars to be delayed to 2035, replacing the previous deadline of 2030, weakening the phasing out of gas boilers by 2035, and abandon plans to introduce energy-efficient improvement regulations on homes.

He is also expected to delay a ban on off-grid oil boilers while saying there will be no extra taxes on air travel to ‘discourage flying’ or policies to ‘interfere in how many passengers you can have in your car’ or ‘make you change your diet’.

However critics have condemned the Prime Minister warning that the UK is throwing away its reputation as a world leader on climate change.

However backing the PM, the local DUP MP, said: “Efforts to tackle climate change cannot ignore other pressures facing people across the United Kingdom. I see in my own constituency companies such as Wrightbus who are making massive strides towards reducing carbon emissions. People support efforts to ensure we hit ‘net zero’, but they do not see those efforts as being a higher priority than feeding their family or heating their home.

“There is nothing wrong with setting targets, but there is also nothing wrong with reviewing the approach in light of the circumstances we face. No decision occurs in isolation, but it will have a direct impact on households across the country. In Northern Ireland we still have a heaver reliance on road transport than other parts of the United Kingdom, and our home heating market continues to be heavily reliant on oil. Indeed, the 2035 target for car transition, brings the UK into line with other major European countries.

“It is unfortunate that some will attempt to paint any kind of review as a complete abandonment of efforts to reduce carbon emissions. There will need to be a continued pressure from government to ensure that we stay on that path, but it will be impossible to reach those goals if people simply cannot afford to make the changes that will be needed. Any measures cannot work without bringing the public along, and they must ensure that costs are not borne by the most vulnerable in our society.”

Meanwhile SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MP described Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s u-turn on the action needed to achieve net-zero carbon emissions as ‘cynical opportunism dressed up as difficult decision making’.

Mr Eastwood MP, explained: “Rishi Sunak’s shameless U-turn on the scale of action needed to halt the irreversible breakdown of our climate is a cynical stunt by a Prime Minister who hasn’t yet realised that his days in government are numbered. The announcement is cynical opportunism dressed up as difficult decision making.

“While other advanced economies are meeting on the fringes of the UN General Assembly to discuss how the international community can accelerate the move to net-zero, it is astounding that Britain is pulling the brakes on urgent action to challenge the greatest threat that our planet faces.

“That the Prime Minister would make an announcement of this nature while Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake on these islands, is experiencing an ecological crisis is a damning indictment of his leadership and his government.

“The independent Climate Change committee said earlier this year that Britain had lost its global leadership position on climate change. Industry leaders have vocally protested the incoherence, inconsistency and reckless nature of what Rishi Sunk has announced. This weak, directionless approach cannot continue. A Labour government is badly needed.”

Mr Eastwood recently sponsored Private Members legislation in the House of Commons that would have levied a green jobs tax on multinational companies to deliver new opportunities in ecologically sustainable technologies.