Sir Tony Blair said that «Frankly, everything we do in the UK is not really going to affect climate change.» Photo: Stéphane Rousseau/PA < p>Sir Tony Blair warned against asking the public to donate a «massive amount» to fight climate change, saying Britain's zero-emissions effort cannot solve global warming alone.
p>
The former Labor Party prime minister stressed that climate change was «the biggest global challenge» and said «the UK has a role to play» in addressing it.
However, he pointed out that what the UK could achieve would be nothing compared to the actions of countries like China.
His cautionary remark comes at a time when Labor and the Conservatives are publicly debating how to move quickly to a net zero balance following last week's surprise Tory victory in the Uxbridge by-election.
The blame was placed on Labor not were able to take the old place of Boris Johnson. on voters' reactions to London's Ultra Low Emissions Zone (Ulez), which charges polluting cars.
On Friday, the High Court will rule on the legality of Ulez's expansion by Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London. Under the expansion, the zone will cover all of Greater London from August 29.
It comes amid European wildfires that some blame on climate change, with July set to be the hottest month on record, according to the World Health Organization. meteorological organization. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that «an era of global boiling has arrived.»
In an interview with the New Statesman on July 18, two days before the Uxbridge by-election, Sir Tony said: «Don't ask us to make a huge effort if, frankly, everything we do in Britain doesn't really affect the climate.» . changes.
«Question number one today — and here the UK could play a role — how do you finance the energy transition?»
“Because, in essence, developed countries are declining emissions, but developing countries are increasing. These countries need to grow, so how are you funding the transition? Secondly, how do you speed up the technology?”
A person close to Sir Tony clarified that his “huge amount” comment was an echo of the arguments of others, although he used it to support his central point.< /p>
The former prime minister agreed, noting China's significant emissions. should not be a reason not to do anything about climate change at all. He continues to support the UK's goal of zero emissions by 2050.
«Well, that's the biggest global issue, right, and the UK has a role to play,» he said. “But frankly, some of it will be less related to UK emissions. What I mean is that the increase in China's emissions in one year will exceed all the emissions of the UK in a year.
In the past eight years, China has emitted more carbon dioxide than the UK has emitted since the start of the industrial revolution. , according to data released last year.
Sir Tony highlights what the UK can achieve alone in the fight against climate change, amid debate over how radical environmental policy should be. Figures involved in planning the Conservatives' next election campaign are seeking new 'wedge issues' after Tories held out in Uxbridge amid backlash from Ulez.
1507 ULEZ Poll
Last week, government data said landlords would have more time to make their rental housing greener and indicated they would show «flexibility» around new EV requirements.
Rishi Sunak said he wanted make the UK net zero carbon by 2050 «proportionately and pragmatically» to avoid «more hassle and more cost» for Britons.
Sir Keir Starmer, Labor leader, and Angela Rayner, her deputy, publicly distanced themselves from Ules the day after their party failed to win at Uxbridge.
Sir Keir said he would «think» about the issue politics. , and spoke to Mr Khan about his plans. The mayor of London insists on expanding the zone, but counts on additional financial assistance.
Speaking to BBC Radio Four's World at One, Ed Miliband, the Labor party's climate change secretary, denied that there was a split in the party over climate change policy. too experienced to worry about such things because the truth is that there is always gossip in Westminster.”
The party recently dropped one flagship environmental pledge, saying £28bn would not be borrowed. to fund a net zero transition in the first year of the Labor government.
This number remains a target, but Labor is no longer tied to a specific time frame for when this is achieved, citing a worsening financial position over the past year.
On Thursday, Transport Minister Mark Harper wrote to Sir Keir demanding he make it clear whether he supports or opposes the Ulez expansion, another sign that the Tories are seeking political gain in it. question. .
Meanwhile, Canterbury City Council, which is jointly run by Labor and the Liberal Democrats, signaled on Thursday that it would drop the city's «impossible, controversial and unpopular» traffic scheme.
Свежие комментарии