Chris Packham, a naturalist and presenter of nature programs, is planning to legally challenge changes made by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to net-zero policies announced last month. Mr. Packham seeks to halt the delay to phase-out new gas boilers, as well as petrol and diesel cars. In the event that Mr. Johnson does not reverse the changes made, Mr. Packham will apply to the High Court for judicial review.
According to the Climate Change Act, the UK government must explain how it will stick to its carbon budget plans. Mr. Packham believes the prime minister’s changes to policy contravene the UK’s commitments under the Act. Mr. Packham contends that the prime minister is acting illegally.
Last month, the UK announced significant changes to its plans for reaching net-zero in 2050. Mr. Johnson delayed the phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars until 2035 instead of 2030. Only 80% of gas boilers will need to be phased out by that date instead of the initially proposed 100%. Opposition parties, industry leaders, and climate campaigners criticized this decision, which Mr. Johnson claimed was to ease the burden on hard-working businesses and families.
Mr. Packham stated that he believed the government’s plans to fulfill its legal net-zero commitments were “shambolic and destined to failure,” even before the changes were announced. In the letter he sent to Mr. Johnson, he argued that the prime minister’s decision to renege on the policies without offering alternatives to them was “reckless and irresponsible.” Mr. Packham gave Mr. Johnson a deadline of 14 days to respond or reverse the decision before taking the case to the High Court
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