Backlash against Sunak’s climate policy rollback escalates

Royal Society of Chemistry among professional bodies “deeply concerned” as UK weakens net zero pledges

The backlash has intensified against Rishi Sunak’s plan to roll back some UK net zero targets, as the Royal Society of Chemistry warned it would harm the country’s global standing in the area.

Scientists, politicians, climate campaigners and companies last week reacted with anger and concern after the prime minister announced plans to water down the government’s climate-change commitments, including by delaying the phasing-out of diesel and petrol vehicles by five years, to 2035.