Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership said its work towards net zero remained unchanged, despite Rishi Sunak’s U-turn on previous Government pledges.
The Prime Minister has vowed to press ahead with his plans to row back on green measures, because he was confident the UK was on track to hit its target to become net zero by 2050.
He said, in a speech yesterday: “There’s nothing ambitious about simply asserting a goal for a short-term headline without being honest with the public about the tough choices and sacrifices involved and without any meaningful democratic debate about how we get there.
“The Climate Change Committee have rightly said you don’t reach net zero simply by wishing it.
“Yet that’s precisely what previous governments have done – both Labour and Conservative.
“No one in Westminster politics has yet had the courage to look people in the eye and explain what’s really involved.
“When our share of global emissions is less than 1%, how can it be right that British citizens, are now being told to sacrifice even more than others?
“Given these things, I’m confident that we can adopt a more pragmatic, proportionate, and realistic approach to meeting Net Zero that eases the burdens on working people.”
Cumbria LEP said delivery of net zero was one of its three key touchstones for the county, along with economic growth and improved productivity.
A spokesman said: “Reflecting on the recent announcements this week we would observe that they relate to two specific aspects concerning cars and domestic heating.
“Our focus areas are in clean energy generation and helping our businesses (big and small) decarbonise.
“Our work in these areas continues unchanged where Cumbria can play a leading role for the UK. Examples were showcased at our recent Leading the Way to Net Zero conference held in Carlisle that demonstrated how we are working with public and private partners for Cumbria to lead the way for net zero in the UK.”
Mr Sunak said the Government’s original aim of banning sales of new cars powered by traditional fuels – scheduled for 2030 – would be pushed back to 2035.
In his speech from Downing Street, he said he expected the vast majority of cars would be electric by 2030 and the five-year delay would give businesses and people more time to prepare.
He added people would still be allowed to buy second-hand diesel and petrol cars after that date and the new date would align the UK’s approach with countries across Europe, Canada and many US states.
