UK Pledges Another £160 Million to International Net Zero Efforts

Polling has shown that Sunak’s u-turn has been highly divisive in the public opinion, as the Tories continue to grow Britain’s international Net Zero commitment

World leaders and delegates gather at a summit to address climate change, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Sept. 23, 2019. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The UK has pledged £160 million to support developing nations’ net-zero efforts, announced today by Energy Minister Graham Stuart at the United Nations Climate Ambitions Summit in New York.

This financial assistance aims to accelerate the adoption of green technologies and reduce emissions.

Meanwhile, a new poll by Ipsos has revealed a divided public opinion on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s decision to scale back the UK’s net-zero commitments, with 47 percent of respondents believing it was the right decision and 46 percent disagreeing.

Trust in the Conservative Party to make the right decisions on the environment remains low, with two-thirds expressing a lack of trust.

Mr. Stuart, speaking in New York, said: “The UK has cut its emissions by more than any other major economy since 1990 and, following Cop26, will continue to spearhead international efforts to limit global warming and reach net zero.

“It is essential that developing countries are able to future-proof their industries too—and we will stand with them every step of the way in their industrial transformation.”

Mr. Sunak has faced criticism from net-zero enthusiasts for delaying several climate goals, such as extending the ban on new petrol and diesel cars, softening the plan to phase out gas boilers by 2035, and scrapping requirements for energy efficiency upgrades in homes.

Mr. Sunak justified these changes by citing concerns over the financial burden on UK households. However, he emphasised that the UK remains committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Opinions on Mr. Sunak’s changes varied, with 47 percent of respondents believing he made the right decisions, while 46 percent disagreed. Those who voted Conservative in 2019 were more likely to support Mr. Sunak’s decisions, with 25 percent thinking he was wrong.

Public Doubtful on U-Turn’s Longevity

While Mr. Sunak presented his changes as a long-term approach, only 25 percent of the public viewed them this way, with 39 percent considering them short-term. Confidence in the UK meeting its net-zero target was already low, with two-thirds expressing doubt before the announcement.

Following the changes, 48 percent felt less confident, and 13 percent felt more confident about the UK’s ability to meet its climate targets.

The poll also showed a decline in trust in the Conservatives to address the cost of living, with only 15 percent expressing confidence in the party’s ability to improve this aspect, down from 24 percent in April.

Mr. Sunak’s personal ratings have also declined, with 52 percent believing he is doing a bad job as prime minister, compared to 19 percent who think he is doing a good job.

In terms of party ratings, Labour continues to lead the Conservatives in managing taxes and spending, reducing the cost of living, and making the right decisions on environmental protection.

The Ipsos poll surveyed 1,077 British adults between September 20 and 21. The results indicate a complex public sentiment regarding the government’s climate policies and their perceived impact on various aspects of life.

Separately, Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho, a key ally of Mr. Sunak, attended the Climate Mobilisation Forum in Paris alongside her French counterpart, Agnes Pannier-Runacher.

During the event, Ms. Coutinho engaged with prominent businesses and philanthropists interested in investing in emerging green technologies.

The focus of the discussions was to emphasise the importance of international collaboration in reducing global emissions.

Sunak Facing ‘Balancing Act’

Ipsos’s head of UK politics, Gideon Skinner, commented on the latest poll’s findings, saying: “Rishi Sunak is facing a balancing act with his recent announcement on delaying or cancelling some net zero policies, needing to show the public he is still taking climate change seriously while also addressing concerns about the cost of living.

“These latest results suggest the immediate public reaction to the announcement is split, with as many thinking it was the right decision as the wrong one—with at least his own 2019 base more clearly in favour.

“However, there is less sign that it has improved overall levels of trust in the Conservatives on the cost of living, while confidence in them on the environment is also low.

“More work is needed both to deliver improvements on the economy and to engage with public concerns that a long-term approach on climate change really is being taken, in order to change people’s minds.”

The latest pledge for international green funding comes from Mr. Sunak’s government just weeks after Tory MPs called into question a pledge of £1.62 billion, made to the Green Climate Fund during the G20 summit in India.

That funding was pledged with the aim of assisting vulnerable regions in coping with the effects of climate change. Critics argue that the allocation of national resources could have been better spent domestically, addressing issues such as special needs education, health care, and housing.

The UK has allocated the fresh £160 million as part of its broader international efforts to support developing nations in addressing climate change. This commitment is part of a larger plan to spend £11.6 billion on international climate finance from 2021 to 2026.