Campaigners the Good Law Project have written to net zero secretary Claire Coutinho warning of a potential legal challenge over the government’s net zero U-turn.
The letter gives the government a one week warning to disclose how it’s new proposals will align with 2050 net zero targets.
On Wednesday 20 September, the prime minister Rishi Sunak announced a delay on the 2030 ban on the sales of new petrol and diesel cars back to 2035.
He also unveiled an ease on heat pump transition and no new energy efficiency regulations on homes.
Yet, the prime minister remains confident the country will be able to reach net zero by 2050.
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The Good Law Project’s legal director Emma Dearnaley however is “not convinced at all” that the new policies will allow the government to meet carbon budgets.
“Our letter is a warning that we are prepared to take further legal action if ministers refuse to show their working behind the prime minister’s assertion that the government will still meet its net-zero commitments”.
Government’s net zero legal challenges are piling up
Last month saw the High Court confirm it will hear previous legal challenges brought by Friends of the Earth, ClientEarth and Good Law Project over the government’s net zero strategy published in March this year.
In July 2023 the campaigners filed a judicial review after calling stating the government’s revised strategy – the Carbon Budget Delivery Plan, published 30 March – is unlawful falls short of the requirements in the Climate Change Act 2008.
