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Friday, Mar 20, 2026

UK Climate Adviser: Sunak's Dilution of Green Policies Sets Britain Back on Net Zero

Rishi Sunak, the UK prime minister, has been criticized by Chris Stark, the outgoing head of the Climate Change Committee, for not prioritizing the climate crisis and setting back Britain's reputation as a world leader in the fight against it.
Sunak's decision to dilute key green policies has had a significant diplomatic impact and was seen as a U-turn from his high-profile speech last year.

The UK's Climate Change Committee (CCC) has criticized Rishi Sunak's government for not appointing a new chair to the committee, raising concerns over the country's climate policies.

Sunak previously delayed the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales by five years, which was seen as a step back from previous climate commitments.

The delay was presented as a more measured approach to the transition, according to the committee's former chair, Lord Deben.

The Conservative Party used this policy to differentiate themselves from Labour during the Uxbridge byelection.

Stark expressed concern that the UK's progress towards net zero emissions has slowed down under Chancellor Rishi Sunak's leadership.

He believed the UK was once leading the way in this area but is now trying to regain lost ground.

Previous Prime Ministers Theresa May and Boris Johnson had shown greater ambition towards the net zero target.
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