MPs urge Rishi Sunak to stay true to net zero at Cop28

Steven

Hey Stephany, did you see that MPs are urging Rishi Sunak to attend Cop28 and stay true to net zero?

Stephany

Yes, I did. It seems like there's a lot of pressure on Sunak to demonstrate climate leadership and reject new fossil fuel projects. The MPs are calling for an urgent phase-out of fossil fuels and want him to commit to attending the climate summit in Dubai.

Steven

That's true, but there are some members of the Conservative party who are pushing for a dilution of the government's net zero commitments. They argue that these commitments are unpopular and expensive. Sunak, on the other hand, wants to pursue net zero policies that are "proportionate and pragmatic."

Stephany

I understand the concerns about costs, but the parliamentarians in the letter argue that mixed signals on the UK's commitment to climate action are undermining our reputation and risking our status as a world leader. They also point out that continuing to rely on gas at the current level will come at double the cost of transitioning to net zero.

Steven

That's a valid point, but Sunak is also facing pressure from the Conservative right wing and the recent Uxbridge by-election result. They believe that green policies are unpopular and want to create a dividing line with Labour. Sunak has signaled that he could delay or even abandon green policies that impose a direct cost on consumers.

Stephany

It's concerning that some are using the Uxbridge result as an excuse to backtrack on net zero pledges. The former Tory minister, Zac Goldsmith, has urged the prime minister not to use criticism of certain policies as an excuse to abandon the overarching challenge of addressing climate change.

Steven

I agree, it's important to find solutions that are both effective and affordable. But it seems like there's a tension between the need to address climate change and the concerns about costs and popularity. It will be interesting to see how Sunak and the government navigate this issue.

Stephany

Definitely. The decisions made now will have long-term implications for our environment and economy. We need to ensure that we remain committed to serious climate action and continue to lead internationally.