London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has issued a direct challenge to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, urging him not to "slow down on net zero" and to provide reassurance that the Government will maintain its commitment to climate action. Speaking in the wake of devastating heatwaves and wildfires, Khan argued that such extreme weather events underscore the urgent need for continued green investment and a reduction in reliance on fossil fuels.
Khan, who has been nominated for a life peerage, called for "reassurance" from Burnham's Government that there would be no shift away from commitments to end reliance on oil and gas. He demanded international "action over apathy" on climate change, stressing that the planet is in a "deeply precarious position."
"That's why we need reassurance from the Government that they won't slow down on net zero or reducing our reliance on oil and gas and that they'll continue accelerating the green investment we need to get our country and planet back on track," Khan said.
Burnham's Pragmatic Approach and Criticism
Burnham has promised a "pragmatic" approach to North Sea oil and gas, a stance that has drawn praise from US President Donald Trump, who advocates a "drill, baby, drill" policy for fossil fuel reserves. This approach has raised concerns among climate advocates, especially given Labour's 2024 election manifesto commitment to issue no new licences for oil and gas exploration, though existing sites could still be exploited further.
Khan's comments highlight tensions within Labour over the issue. He asserted that national governments worldwide "must choose action over apathy and commit to delivering Net Zero, reducing our reliance on oil and gas, and investing in the large-scale green projects we urgently need to cut emissions, adapt to extreme heat, and protect communities from flooding and wildfires."
Government's EV Target Consultation
In a related development, the Government has launched a consultation on easing targets for the sale of new electric vehicles. The zero-emission vehicle (Zev) mandate currently requires 80% of all new car sales to be zero-emission by 2030, but the consultation proposes lowering this figure to as low as 50%.
Colin Walker, head of transport at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit think tank, said that watering down the target during a time of heatwaves and drought "may seem strange to the increasing number of people concerned by images of homes on fire and the security and affordability of the food we eat."
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander defended the consultation, stating: "It's right we keep targets under review to ensure they're practical and back British industry."
Prime Minister's Acknowledgment and Stance
Prime Minister Burnham has acknowledged that the extreme weather is due to climate change. After visiting Stourbridge on Friday to see the impact of a wildfire, he said: "This is what climate change looks like, here and now." He added that "we have to face up to the changing climate" and that "we need more clean energy, we need to see that transition accelerate."
However, on the same day, the Government launched the consultation on easing EV targets, prompting criticism from environmental groups and raising questions about the consistency of the Government's climate policies.
The consultation on the Zev mandate is open for public comment, and its outcome will determine the future pace of the UK's transition to electric vehicles. The decision will have significant implications for the automotive industry and the country's ability to meet its net zero commitments.
