RISHI Sunak has been accused of ‘backtracking’ on climate change commitments as he also faces fresh calls to introduce a ‘meaningful’ windfall tax on fossil fuel giants.
The Prime Minister has come under fire for ‘snubbing’ the COP27 conference in Egypt next month, which his predecessor Liz Truss was due to attend with world leaders such as US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Downing Street has also confirmed that Truss’ decision to prevent King Charles from attending the world summit will not be reviewed, with advice that it would be ‘not the right occasion for the King to visit’.
The SNP said Sunak was not showing the required personal leadership by refusing to attend COP27, with Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon planning to attend the summit.
Party COP27 spokesperson Deidre Brock also pointed out that Sunak would not follow through on Truss’s plans to ease onerous planning restrictions for onshore wind projects in England and that he had removed from his cabinet. COP26 President Alok Sharma.
The SNP MP said: “The stark contrast between Nicola Sturgeon’s leadership in the fight against climate change – and the complete failure of Rishi Sunak’s leadership is evident.
“The Conservative Prime Minister has gotten off to the worst possible start on this issue – and needs to change course urgently. There is no more time to lose.
“Mr Sunak is sending a dire signal by reneging on the UK government’s renewable energy commitments, demoting climate change ministers from his cabinet and not joining world leaders at COP27.
“The climate emergency is the most important issue facing us – and it is inextricably linked to energy security and the cost of living crisis.
“The Prime Minister is failing to show the personal leadership needed to drive forward the delivery of climate commitments – and by backing down from plans to encourage onshore wind, he is actively undermining the UK’s efforts.”
Sunak insisted last week that he should focus on “depressing national challenges” rather than attending the COP27 summit.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to a south London hospital on Friday, he said: ‘The leadership we have shown on the climate is unmatched almost anywhere in the world.
“It is important to me that as Prime Minister we leave behind a better environment for our children and grandchildren. I’m very passionate about that. I take it very personally.
“I just think right now it’s only fair that I also focus on the depressing national challenges that we have with the economy.
“I think that’s what people watching would reasonably expect me to do too.”
Brock added: “For 12 years the Conservative government has not taken climate change seriously. Their inaction, including the failure to properly invest in renewables, has contributed to soaring UK energy bills and threats of winter blackouts.
“Scotland needs independence to realize its full potential as Europe’s renewable energy powerhouse of the 21st century – and so we can use all the levers to take the lead on climate change, for the benefit of all our communities. ”
Meanwhile, the Scottish Greens have warned that a ‘meaningful’ windfall tax on fossil fuel giants is more urgent than ever to help cope with a ‘long, cold winter’.
The party said that although Sunak had introduced such an energy profit levy during his term as chancellor, it was “misfit for its purpose”.
The new call comes after Shell reported its second-highest quarterly profit on record last week, with global profits hitting £8.2bn between July and September. However, the company avoided paying UK windfall tax because it said it invested heavily in the North Sea.
Scottish Greens energy and environment spokesman Mark Ruskell said: “Without fundamental action from Westminster it will be a long and difficult winter for millions of households and families across Scotland. and beyond.
“It’s one of the wealthiest societies in the world, yet as winter bites the Tories are introducing budget cuts when many are already being forced to choose between heating and starvation.
“Meanwhile, oil and gas company executives laugh as they go to the bank while profiting off the hardship, which is having a devastating impact on household bills and the world around us.”
Ruskell also warned that awarding new oil and gas exploration licenses is “the worst kind of climate vandalism” and called for “large-scale restructuring” of the economy involving a move away from fossil fuels.
He added: “One step that we could take very quickly, which could make a big difference and fund the transition, would be an appropriate and significant tax on the windfall profits that are made.
“The money raised could be used to bring real relief to people here and now while supporting major investment in renewable energy and allowing us to finally break the link between fossil fuel prices and household bills. .”
A UK government spokesperson said: ‘The Energy Profits Levy – on top of an overall 40 per cent tax rate for industry – is expected to bring in £17billion this year and next. to help fund cost-of-living support for eight million people. . We also want to see the sector reinvest its profits to support the economy, jobs and our energy security, which is why the more a company invests in the UK, the less tax it will pay.
