The prime minister’s announcement that he will delay net zero targets “is the opposite of what we need”, the British Property Federation has said.
Rishi Sunak yesterday confirmed speculation that he was planning to water-down the government’s climate change targets, claiming in a Downing Street speech that a “more pragmatic approach” was needed.
Among the announcements, which included delaying the phase-out targets for gas and oil boilers and new diesel and petrol cars, Sunak confirmed that tougher EPC rules would also be delayed.
He said: “I am confident we can adopt a more pragmatic, proportional and realistic approach to reaching net zero.”
But Melanie Leech, chief executive at the BPF, said the announcement was “deeply frustrating for the investors and property owners who have already made long-term plans and financial commitments to ensure they can play their part in meeting the UK’s climate change commitments”.
She added: “The prime minister has said that the government remains committed to the 2050 net zero target, but pushing back planned interim milestones is the opposite of what we need.”
She added that she was sympathetic to Sunak’s assertion that families would not welcome additional burdens at a time of rising costs, but “businesses need certainty in order to invest”.
“Changing the strategic goalposts will deter investment, make the task of meeting the 2050 target much harder and mean more inefficient older buildings are left stranded, with an economic drag on town and city centres,” she said.
“We urge government to provide and commit to a clear timetable for decarbonising the built environment to accelerate rather than hold back the pace of change.”
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