In September, the Prime Minister spoke out against a series of net-zero emissions measures. Photo: Justin Tullis/Poole via Reuters
The Conservative MP who called Rishi Sunak's relaxation of net zero targets the “biggest mistake of his premiership” is seeking ministerial backing to lead the official climate watchdog.
Chris Skidmore, who signed the Net Zero Bill as Theresa May's energy leader The minister is believed to be shortlisted to chair the Climate Change Committee.
The CCC is a statutory body that advises government on greenhouse gas emissions targets. In 2019, he recommended that ministers adopt a target to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Like Mr Skidmore, the watchdog opposed a series of changes announced by Mr Sunak in September, including the end of a planned 2030 ban on the sale of petrol cars. The Prime Minister criticized him for proposing a meat tax as part of efforts to cut Britain's carbon emissions.
The proposal is 'likely to raise eyebrows'
Mr Skidmore's offer to lead the CCC for an initial five-year term is likely to raise eyebrows among many Conservative Party members, given he was one of the party's most vocal critics of Mr Sunak's relaxation of the net zero target in September. However, he is likely to receive support from centrist Conservatives concerned about any weakening of the party's climate ambitions.
The appointment will be decided by Claire Coutinho, Net Zero secretary, who has been brought in with Mr Sunak to discuss a review of the government's climate plans. A spokesman for her department declined to comment.
The vacancy follows the departure of Lord Deben.
The vacancy follows the departure of Lord Deben, the former John Gummer, who led the body for 11 years. The 83-year-old Conservative peer insists the UK is cutting carbon emissions “too slowly”.
Mr Skidmore has announced he will stand down as MP at the next election, expected next year. It is understood he applied for the role of the Climate Change Committee before Mr Sunak changed his approach to net zero.
In September, the Prime Minister announced exemptions and delays to several key environmental policies in a bid to allay concerns that existing targets, such as banning the sale of petrol cars by 2030, risk making households poorer. Mr Sunak said he was “confident” the UK would still meet its overall target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Original targets 'fair and well thought out'
But Mr Skidmore launched a media offensive in response to the changes, insisting the existing targets were “fair and well thought out”.
He said: “This decision will cost the UK jobs, inward investment and future economic growth that could be ours if we commit to the industries of the future.”
“Ultimately, homeowners will pay the price, whose bills will remain higher due to the inefficiency of fossil fuels and dependence on volatile international fossil fuel prices. Rishi Sunak still has time to think again and avoid making the biggest mistake of his premiership.”
Mr Skidmore previously led a review of the government's net zero policy, commissioned during Liz Truss's premiership, which should be published. like a book this week.
The MP for Kingswood, Gloucestershire, told the Telegraph last year that he had decided not to stand at the next election because his seat of Kingswood in South Gloucestershire was due to be abolished in a formal review constituency boundaries.
He added: “One of the reasons I want to leave politics is to focus on net zero now, apart from being in the House of Commons, and probably dedicate the next part of my career to think about how to achieve the energy transition and ensure that business and society can achieve net zero.”
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