UK’s green halo fades under Sunak leadership

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece here in The Financial Times or enjoy below

🗞️ Driving the news: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is accused of not being devoted to the climate change cause
• His lack of interest has raised concerns among climate experts, business leaders, and Conservative MPs
• A change of tune towards “energy security” over global warming has been noted after Russia's invasion of Ukraine

🔭 The context: As the UK experienced its hottest June on record, criticism over Sunak's approach to climate change has intensified
• His decisions have come under fire, including approval of a new coal mine in Cumbria and a vast oilfield in the North Sea, while apparently disregarding the development of onshore wind farms

🌎 Why does it matter for the planet: A "worryingly slow" progress is now observed in the UK, which is raising alarms among non-profit groups, including ClientEarth and Friends of the Earth
• They argue that the UK's current net-zero strategy does not meet its own legally binding commitments to reduce emissions.

⏭️ What's next: Sunak's commitment to tackling climate change remains in question, with potential implications of the UK’s current net-zero strategy not meeting its own legally binding commitments to reduce emissions

💬 One quote: "He’s just not motivated by these issues, he’s not interested, they don’t move him," (Zac Goldsmith, former international climate minister)

Click for more news covering the latest on climate change