More than 50 U.K. environmental groups have written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressing “deep alarm” at the government’s “watering down” of climate and nature goals.
In their letter, the organizations, who between them claim 20 million supporters, called on Sunak to issue “public reassurances” about the government’s direction on environmental policies. Signatories include the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the National Trust, the Green Alliance and WWF UK.
Sunak’s government has come under fire from campaigners in recent weeks who have questioned his commitment to the climate agenda.
The campaign groups list the government’s support for continued oil and gas exploration in the North Sea and accusations by a former minister that the U.K. will not meet a key international climate finance commitment. This week, Conservative MPs also questioned the U.K.’s flagship target of banning new petrol and diesel car sales by 2030, while the government watered down energy efficiency targets for landlords.
Sunak’s party last week won a by-election in the outer London seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip by campaigning against the anti-pollution ultra-low emissions zone (ULEZ) policy spearheaded by Labour mayor Sadiq Khan.
“We will not stand by whilst politicians use the environment as a political football,” the campaign groups say. “It is courage and leadership that we need now. In the past, we have mobilised many of our members collectively with extraordinary results, and our resolve to stand firm now against any and all attacks on this critical policy agenda remains absolute.”
