In a surprising move, former US President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s decision to delay several measures aimed at reducing emissions. The measures, which include a five-year delay in banning petrol and diesel cars, were introduced to ease the financial burden on hard-pressed households, rather than implementing the original plan to phase out such vehicles by 2030.
Trump, who has previously been vocal about his skepticism towards climate change measures, praised Sunak’s decision on his social media platform Truth Social, stating: “Prime Minister Sunak of the United Kingdom has very substantially rolled back the ridiculous ‘climate mandates’ that the United States is pushing on everyone, especially itself. I always knew Sunak was smart, that he wasn’t going to destroy and bankrupt his nation for fake climate alarmists that don’t have a clue.”
The British government’s decision to delay the ban on petrol and diesel cars has been met with criticism from environmental groups, who argue that the move will hinder the country’s ability to meet its emissions reduction targets. However, UK Cabinet minister Grant Shapps defended the decision, stating that the country has already exceeded its carbon budgets and is leading the way in reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the G7.
Donald Trump (Via Donald Trump/Twitter)
Shapps also pointed out that the original plan to ban new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 was always intended to be a gradual phase-out, with hybrid-powered vehicles allowed to be on sale until 2035. The minister insisted that the revised timeline is still ambitious enough to meet the country’s 2050 emissions reduction commitments, while also providing families with some relief from the financial burden of switching to more environmentally friendly alternatives.
The decision to delay the ban on petrol and diesel cars is part of a larger package of measures aimed at reducing emissions, including changes to the shift away from gas boilers. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace emphasized that the UK is still committed to meeting its emissions reduction targets, while also acknowledging that the pace of transition needs to be realistic and achievable for families.
The news has sparked debate about the role of politics in shaping environmental policy, with some arguing that the UK’s decision to delay its emissions reduction targets is a concession to anti-environmental sentiment, while others see it as a pragmatic move aimed at balancing economic and environmental concerns. Whatever the motivations behind the decision, it is clear that the UK’s approach to emissions reduction will be closely watched, not just by environmental groups, but by governments and businesses around the world.
