Industries call for clarity as UK delays net-zero targets

London – UK industries have reacted to a recent decision by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to delay the country’s net-zero targets by five years.

The decision, announced 20 Sept, will see the UK delaying a proposed ban on new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035, in order to “ease the transition to electric vehicles”.

In response to the decision, Mike Haws, chief executive of Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said the industry’s commitment to zero-emission cars remained “unchanged”.

“Today’s announcement must be backed up with a package of attractive incentives and measures to accelerate charging infrastructure to give consumers the confidence to switch,” he said.

Carrots, he went on to add, “move markets faster than sticks”.

The cautious welcome by SMMT, however, was not echoed by the chief executive of the Chemical Industry Association (CIA), Steve Elliott.

“The UK has entered a quite critical phase, post-Brexit, post-Covid and with sluggish growth of just 1% projected throughout 2024,” he said.

Elliott, therefore, stressed the need for “clarity” as the size of the UK economy remained below its pre-pandemic level.

“A delay would only undermine UK economy growth, slow us down in the race to net zero, consequently putting off investors and damaging UK credibility with business,” he added.

According to Elliott, the “increased and extended uncertainty” will not encourage net zero-related investment within the companies and sectors that are critical to the delivery of ‘net zero’.

With businesses facing “increasingly competitive” location choices for investments, Elliott said “anything that delays clarity over UK policy, regulation and funding will further challenge positive decisions on much needed investment for our country and economy”.