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“Now is the moment” – 2020, the UK’s defining year of climate action
The UK government plans to bring the ban on selling petrol and diesel cars forwards to 2035 from 2040.
The plans were announced at a launch event for the climate summit to be held later this year.
The new date comes after news that the original 2040 sales ban would be too late for the UK to achieve net-zero targets by 2050.
Sir David Attenborough, speaking at the launch, commented:
“Now is the moment. It is up to us to organise the nations of the world to do something about it.”
Following this, it is hoped that the ban may come even sooner than 2035, hopes Boris Johnson.
In addition to the UK ban, Scotland plan to phase out the need for petrol and diesel cars and make using electric vehicles more feasible.
It is felt that the UK has a responsibility to lead the way in decarbonisation due to historic emission levels. The Prime Minister stated that “there can be no greater responsibility than protecting our planet, and no mission that a global Britain is prouder to serve.”
Despite this, comments have been passed that 2035 is not soon enough for the ban. Concerns voiced suggest that this time frame is too long and will allow emissions to continue seeping into the atmosphere.
The BBC reports more on this story here.
