In a BBC interview, Chris Stark says the PM has not made climate change "as much of a priority as...
BBC. Chris Stark, the head of the Climate Change Committee, said Mr Sunak had "Clearly not made as much of a priority as his predecessors".
Rishi Sunak has "Set us back" on climate change and left the UK at risk of falling behind other countries, the head of a government watchdog has said.
Chris Stark, head of the Climate Change Committee, told the BBC the prime minister had "Clearly not" prioritised the issue as much as his predecessors.
Mr Stark said the country had made enormous progress towards reaching the climate target of net zero by 2050 under Theresa May and Boris Johnson.
A government spokesperson told the BBC: "We are the first major economy to halve greenhouse gas emissions since 1990 and have set into law one of the most ambitious 2035 climate change targets of any major economy," referring to the target to cut emissions from manufacturing by about two-thirds by 2035."But we need to reach our net zero goals in a sustainable way, so we have taken action to protect our energy security, ease the burdens on hard-working people and provide transparency about the choices involved so that we bring people with us in meeting our climate targets."
"The proposed new bill will retain our legal commitment to 2045 alongside annual reporting on progress, while introducing a target approach based on five-yearly carbon budgets - an approach utilised in both the UK and Wales, and which aligns with the nuanced and practical approaches to reducing emissions advocated by the Climate Change Committee."Our legal commitment to reach net zero by 2045 steadfastly remains, and with emissions in Scotland already nearly cut in half, we are well positioned to continue leading on climate action that is fair, ambitious and capable of rising to the emergency before us.
Mr Stark, who is standing down from his job, called on Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to be more "bold" when it comes to climate change.
Mr Stark said politicians in the UK across the spectrum have a "collective fear" of talking about climate change.
It's been harder for politicians who are committed to tackling climate change to make the case when many families are struggling to make ends meet, even though many argue that investing in green technology is a way to help create jobs and wealth.
Chris Stark has plenty more to say on climate protests, "Faceless quangos", and what he reckons is at risk.