The Government\u2019s decision to row back on its green commitments is shameful and short-sighted, the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher, has said.<\/p>\n
In a speech on Wednesday afternoon, the Prime Minister announced plans to delay Net Zero targets, although he said that he still wished to meet the deadline of 2050. Measures an\u00ad\u00adnounced included delaying by five years a ban on new petrol and diesel cars and delaying phasing out gas boilers.<\/p>\n
If the country continued to im\u00ad\u00adpose existing targets, he said, \u201cwe risk losing the consent of the British people and the resulting backlash will not just be against specific pol\u00adicies, but against the wider mission itself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bishop Usher, the C of E\u2019s lead bishop for the environment, posted on social media on Wednesday morning, after news had leaked that Mr Sunak intended to water down the targets: \u201cIt will be another shame\u00ad\u00adful day if [the Government] rows back on its Net Zero policies. Shortsighted, it will erode credibility at home & abroad. This isn\u2019t the time to seek political advantage with games. Leadership and action are needed, not delay and procrastina\u00ad\u00adtion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWhilst it is right that he has kept our international commitments, postponing changes leave necessary adaptations to the last minute, rather like last-minute exam cramming \u2014 a risky gamble" – @bishopnorwich<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/JCbZB6N6AJ<\/a><\/p>\n — Church Times (@ChurchTimes) September 21, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n