Paul Cook, Head of Advocacy at Tearfund, said:
‘Defeatism, delay and despondency should have no place in our response to the climate emergency. What we need at this crossroads in human history, in the lead up to COP28, is the innovation, urgency and perseverance to stick with commitments to a cleaner, safer, more sustainable way of living.
‘There are legitimate concerns about the cost to ordinary people as we make the transition, but these should be met with solutions that can be funded through initiatives such as proper carbon taxes on the worst producers of fossil fuel pollution.
‘Globally, countries are pressing forward with action on climate change and a green economy revolution, creating tens of millions of new green jobs and industries of the future. If the UK holds back, it will not only be terrible for the environment and for people living in poverty, but also catastrophic for the UK economy.
‘Rishi Sunak must not backpedal on global commitments to reach net zero, doing so will harm people living in poverty and is not in the UK’s best interests.’
