The Bishop of Norwich has waded in to the political row over the government's decision to row back on environmental targets, describing the move as "shameful".
Prime minister Rishi Sunak appears set to water down key green commitments, including weakening the plan to phase out gas boilers from 2035 and delaying the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars – currently due in 2030 – by five years.
The move has triggered a bitter political row, with opponents across the political divide - as well as from the environmental wing of the Tory party - criticising the decision.
Others, however - who are concerned about the huge economic cost of the country trying to achieve targets too quickly - have welcomed it.
The Rt Rev Graham Usher, the Bishop of Norwich, was among those criticising the move.
Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Bishop Graham, the Church of England's lead bishop for the environment, said: "It will be another shameful day if @GOVUK rows back on its net zero policies.
"Shortsighted, it will erode credibility at home and abroad. This isn’t the time to seek political advantage with games. Leadership and action are needed, not delay and procrastination."
It will be another shameful day if @GOVUK rows back on its Net Zero policies. Shortsighted, it will erode credibility at home & abroad. This isn’t the time to seek political advantage with games. Leadership and action are needed, not delay and procrastination.
— Graham Usher (@bishopnorwich) September 20, 2023
Mr Sunak is expected to set out his plans in a speech later this week, promising a “proportionate” approach.
He stressed the government remains committed to the target of net zero emissions by 2050, but will achieve it "in a better, more proportionate way".
He said politicians "of all stripes have not been honest about costs and trade-offs" and accused previous Tory governments of taking "the easy way out, saying we can have it all".
But Norwich South MP Clive Lewis tweeted: "Sunak to announce death sentence for millions in the global south and beyond. We're better than this."
Sunak to announce death sentence for millions in the global south and beyond.
— Clive Lewis MP (@labourlewis) September 19, 2023
We’re better than this. pic.twitter.com/iojKVSTm8e
Tory Karl McCartney, a member of the Commons Transport Select Committee, said he had pushed the government to delay the ban on new petrol and diesel cars, bringing it in line with the European Union which has moved the date to 2035.
He said: "The only people who will complain about this delay are the central London eco-zealots who do not live in the real world and are rich enough not to be affected."
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