Rishi Sunak rejects referendum on 2050 net-zero economy pledge

His party's green pledges are in the spotlight after the Conservatives' success in last month’s Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaking to the media during his visit to Shell St Fergus Gas Plant in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. PA

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has ruled out the suggestion of a referendum on the pledge to have a net-zero economy by 2050, saying he is “committed” to reducing carbon emissions.

The target could be achieved in a “proportionate and pragmatic way” without stinging the public’s pocket, Mr Sunak said.

Following his party's success in last month’s Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election, during which local campaigners tapped into anger over the expansion of the ultra low emission zone (Ulez), some backbench MPs have called on the government to review other green policies.

Since the shock win in Boris Johnson’s former seat, Mr Sunak has signalled he is on the side of motorists and used a visit to Scotland to announce plans to grant more than 100 new licences for oil and gas extraction in the North Sea.

The Conservative Party leader has insisted that, despite concerns raised by the likes of former Conservative environment minister Lord Goldsmith about the Prime Minister’s green ambitions, he is working towards the 2050 net-zero target.

Speaking to ITV News in Leicester on Wednesday, Mr Sunak said: “I’m committed to net zero.

“I have two young daughters, I care about the environment that we – I – leave them.

“My job is to leave it in a better state than I found it.

“But I think the path to net zero has got to be one that we tread carefully, that we bring everyone along with us on that journey, and we make that journey in a proportionate and a pragmatic way.

“So, my view is I’m committed to it. We will get there.

“We will bring people along with us as we do, we will not unnecessarily burden them with extra hassle or extra cost as we do it. That is my overall approach to net zero.”

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When asked whether he would consider putting the 2050 deadline to a public vote, Mr Sunak appeared to rule it out, saying he thought there was “agreement on it”.

“I think most people are committed to getting to net zero, but getting there in a proportionate and pragmatic way,” he continued.

“That seems to me that commonsense approach to doing this, I think that has broad support.”

Mr Sunak was also asked about Greenpeace attacking his constituency home while he was away on holiday in the US with his family.

A group of demonstrators scaled the Sunaks’ Grade II-listed constituency manor house in Richmond, North Yorkshire, to protest against his oil and gas licences announcement.

The activists draped an oil-black fabric from the roof, staying there from about 8am to 1.15pm, when they were arrested and later bailed as part of an ongoing investigation by North Yorkshire Police.

The Prime Minister suggested he agreed that it should not have been possible for protesters to get to his Yorkshire home, but said it “wouldn’t be right” for him to comment further following the arrests.

Mr Sunak said he had given the police additional powers to crack down on “these kinds of eco extremists, these eco zealots, the Just Stop Oil and others who are disrupting all these sporting events over the summer in particular”.