The Elephant
A resource for journalists, politicians, policy makers, activists and citizens interested in climate change and the environmental emergency
The ElephantA resource for journalists, politicians, policy makers, activists and citizens interested in climate change and the environmental emergency
Environmental Audit Committee letter to Rishi Sunak
2023-09-30 (or before) in UK Parliament CommitteesTagged under: Rishi Sunak | UK Politics
Rishi Sunak’s report finds low-traffic neighbourhoods work and are popular
2024-03-08 in The GuardianExclusive: Downing Street initially buried study, which Tories had hoped would strengthen arguments against traffic-reducing measures
Tagged under: Transport | UK Politics | Rishi Sunak
Growing mountain of wasted money is a radioactive prospect
2024-01-25 by in The Times & The Sunday TimesRishi Sunak’s apparent determination to press ahead with mammoth investment in new nuclear reactors, whatever the cost, might not prove to be the best solution
Tagged under: Nuclear Power | Rishi Sunak
Peer who praised rising temperatures appointed to climate crisis committee
2024-01-22 in The GuardianLabour says appointment of David Frost shows ‘wacky’ climate views no longer confined to Tory party fringes
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak facing renewed pressure over plans to ‘max out’ North Sea oil
2024-01-21 in The GuardianDithering on renewable energy and insulation will leave people in Britain ‘colder and poorer’, campaigners warn
Tagged under: Renewable Energy | Rishi Sunak | Insulation | Fossil Fuels
Sunak accused of being ‘all mouth and no trousers’ after failing on environmental targets
2024-01-18 in Morning StarTagged under: Rishi Sunak | Greenpeace
It's January and Rishi Sunak has already misled us all
2024-01-10 in Metro.co.ukIt sends exactly the wrong signal at the wrong time, and actively undermines global efforts to tackle climate change.
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak
Revealed: Rishi Sunak's 'false' claim homegrown oil and gas is cleaner than imports
2024-01-08 (or before) in Herald ScotlandClaims by Rishi Sunak’s government that home-grown oil and gas is better for the environment than imported fossil fuels has been thrown into doubt…
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Fossil Fuels
What links Rishi Sunak, Javier Milei and Donald Trump? The shadowy network behind their policies | George Monbiot
2024-01-06 in The GuardianThe Atlas Network’s dark-money junktanks are behind neoliberal policies around the world, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
Tagged under: Argentina | Rishi Sunak
Former Tory energy minister quits as MP over Sunak’s ‘harmful’ push for new oil and gas
2024-01-05 in PoliticoChris Skidmore quits as MPs prepare to vote on controversial Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill Monday — teeing up yet another by-election.
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak
Chris Skidmore resigns Conservative whip over Sunak’s oil and gas licence plan
2024-01-05 in The GuardianFormer minister also resigns as an MP, which will trigger byelection in his Kingswood constituency
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Fossil Fuels
Labour accuses Sunak of being ‘asleep at the wheel’ over flood warnings
2024-01-05 in The Guardian‘Significant’ impact of surface water and river flooding continues across England, as showers forecast for Friday
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | UK Politics | UK | Flooding | Rivers
Conservatives are the 'political wing of the fossil fuel industry’ as Sunak invites BP and Shell to Downing Street | Global Witness
2024-01-01 (or before) in Global WitnessNew Global Witness analysis shows that government ministers met with fossil fuel companies 54 times between January and March.
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | BP | Shell
‘The climate change argument is becoming ever more convincing’, says former BP chief
2023-12-11 (or before) in The TelegraphFormer ‘sun king’ Lord Browne on why he’s no longer an oil and gas man
Tagged under: COP28 | Rishi Sunak | BP
UK oil and gas regulator opposed Rishi Sunak’s mandatory licensing rounds
2023-11-30 (or before) in Financial TimesBoard of North Sea Transition Authority found unanimously that move was unnecessary
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak
Just Stop Oil: Rishi Sunak defends 'severe' jail sentences
2023-11-21 (or before) in The BBCOne activist was jailed for two years and another for three after scaling Dartford Crossing bridge.
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Activism
Sunak faces further pressure over net zero U-turn after IEA warning
2023-10-24 in The GuardianEnergy watchdog says countries risks fuelling climate crisis and damaging their economies by rowing back on green policies
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Net Zero
UK climate leadership left in tatters by Prime Minister’s speech - Grantham Research Institute on climate change and the environment
2023-10-16 (or before) in London School of EconomicsBob Ward reviews key elements of Rishi Sunak’s 20th September net zero speech and the implications of the announced policy changes.
Tagged under: Net Zero | Rishi Sunak | UK Politics
Dogger Bank: World's largest offshore wind farm starts exporting power
2023-10-10 in Business GreenGiant North Sea offshore wind farm reaches major milestone on path to delivering clean power for six million homes a year
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Wind Power
Dear Keir Starmer: here’s what you should know about Sunak’s attack on climate policy – he lied and lied | Fiona Harvey
2023-10-09 in The GuardianHe says costs will fall on the poor, but that’s a choice made by his government , says Fiona Harvey, an environment editor at the Guardian
Tagged under: Renewable Energy | Solar Energy | Rishi Sunak
‘Detached from reality’: anger as Rishi Sunak plans to restrict solar panels
2023-10-07 in The GuardianClimate campaigners dismiss government argument that move will improve food security
Tagged under: Renewable Energy | Solar Energy | Rishi Sunak
The Tories say 15-minute cities are sinister. That’s nonsense – here’s the truth | Kate Soper and Martin Ryle
2023-10-05 in The GuardianLabour shows little sign of wanting to counter Rishi Sunak’s rhetoric about a divide between motorists and ‘woke’ spoilsports, say academic Kate Soper and writer Martin Ryle
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak: Cars, boilers and net zero - key takeaways from PM's speech - BBC News
2023-10-02 (or before) in The BBCThe PM announces changes to his green approach, but says 2050 net zero targets will still be met.
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Net Zero | Cars
The UK’s rollback of climate policies will cost its citizens and the world
2023-10-01 (or before) in NatureIncoherent new climate-policy messages by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will dissolve the UK’s climate leadership, stifle innovation’s momentum and cost consumers. Incoherent new climate-policy messages by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will dissolve the UK’s climate leadership, stifle innovation’s momentum and cost consumers.
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak
Environmental Audit Committee letter to Rishi Sunak
2023-09-30 (or before) in UK Parliament CommitteesTagged under: Rishi Sunak | UK Politics
'Misguided': Jupiter and Robeco join £1.5trn investor group urging Sunak to stop green delay
2023-09-29 in Business GreenDozens of firms sign letter to Prime Minister warning that watering down decarbonisation policies will hurt inward investment into UK
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Climate Change | Decarbonisation
Prime Minister accused of 'evoking conspiracy theories' with plan to restrict traffic calming measures
2023-09-29 in Business GreenReports suggest Rishi Sunak's conference speech will centre on a new 'plan for motorists' and cite concerns over '15-minute cities'
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Net Zero
Hydrogen Lobby Sets Sights On Labour Party
2023-09-26 by in DeSmogHydrogen lobbyists are targeting the Labour Party after betting on the opposition winning next year’s general election, DeSmog can reveal. Energy policy will be a major focus at the October conferences of both major parties, which fall weeks after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak dramatically announced plans to water down the UK’s green targets. Emails seen […]
Tagged under: Hydrogen | Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak delays petrol car ban in major shift on green policies - BBC News
2023-09-25 (or before) in The BBCThe prime minister claims the changes will support "hard-pressed families" but opponents accuse him of "selling out".
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak
In-depth Q&A: What do Rishi Sunak’s U-turns mean for UK climate policy? - Carbon Brief
2023-09-22 by in Carbon BriefIn this article, Carbon Brief explains the context of the Rishi Sunak’s speech and factchecks his new announcements on UK climate policy.
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak
PM's U-turns weren't really about net zero - but playing politics with climate change is a big risk
2023-09-22 (or before) in Sky NewsWhatever Rishi Sunak says, the details of his changes in climate policy suggest he is thinking about politics, not the environment. In a year which is currently on course to be the warmest in human history, that's a pretty big risk to take.
Tagged under: Climate Change | Rishi Sunak | Net Zero
How the ‘Climate Avoiders’ Have Taken Over Our Politics
2023-09-20 (or before) by in Bylines SupplementRishi Sunak's rapid retreat from his pledges on tackling climate change is a worrying sign of things to come, reports Adam Bienkov
Tagged under: Climate Change | Rishi Sunak
Sunak should be wary of backtracking on net zero – what history tells us about flip-flopping on the environment
2023-09-20 by in The ConversationRishi Sunak has delayed some of the UK’s key net zero targets – a look back at history may explain why.
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Net Zero
Rishi Sunak considers weakening key green policies - BBC News
2023-09-19 (or before) in The BBCPlans could include delaying a ban on sales of new petrol cars and the phasing out of gas boilers.
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Cars
Tories took £291,000 from airports lobbying for expansion
2023-09-18 (or before) in openDemocracyDonations raise eyebrows with Rishi Sunak expected to reject Climate Change Committee advice on banning expansions
Tagged under: Climate Change | Rishi Sunak
Just Stop Oil targets think tank over protest crackdown role
2023-09-08 (or before) in openDemocracyActivists targeted Policy Exchange after openDemocracy revealed it received Big Oil funding and helped draft law
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Exxon | Activism
The RSPB took on ministers and fell to earth. How it happened is a warning to us all | George Monbiot
2023-09-08 in The GuardianThis is not just a story of a wildlife charity being bullied – it’s about the ugly truth of power dynamics in today’s Britain, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Wildlife
George Monbiot DESTROYS Rishi Sunak AND Keir Starmer
2023-09-08 (or before) in Double Down NewsNo matter who’s in charge YOU lose
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak
RSPB chief apologises after charity calls ministers ‘liars’ over green policy
2023-08-31 in The GuardianBeccy Speight says frustration at ‘weaker protections’ prompted charity’s criticism of Sunak, Gove and Coffey
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Wildlife
New Housing Plans Could Cause 'Total Ecological Collapse' Of UK Rivers, Warn Campaigners
2023-08-29 in Huffington Post UKLevelling up secretary Michael Gove is set to announce plans to make it easier to build houses near rivers, according to reports.
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Housing | Rivers | Collapse
Rishi Sunak took helicopter to housebuilding visit where he defended government’s ‘green credentials’ – as it happened
2023-08-29 in The GuardianPM flew to Norwich for the event where it was announced the government scrapping of nutrient neutrality rules
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Housing
Tories hope a royal grilling at Balmoral will stop Sunak's 'f**king disastrous' green U-turn
2023-08-26 by in inews.co.ukIt is a tradition for the monarch to host the PM at the royal estate in Aberdeenshire. But the experience could be a test for Mr Sunak
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak
Sunak Pushes North Sea Fossil Fuel as Political Shift Gains Pace - Bloomberg
2023-07-31 (or before) in BloombergPrime Minister Rishi Sunak committed to granting hundreds of new licenses for oil and gas production in the North Sea, as his governing Conservatives intensify efforts to draw a political dividing line with the poll-leading opposition Labour Party on energy policy and the environment.
Tagged under: Climate Change | Rishi Sunak
Carbon capture isn't just a disaster for the environment, it's entirely unworkable
2023-07-31 by in inews.co.ukThe Acorn project announced by Rishi Sunak is a dangerous flight of fantasy
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak warned that Tories’ key green pledges are ‘unachievable’
2023-07-29 in The GuardianWhitehall watchdog gives red rating to set of measures aimed to bring net-zero goals, amid backlash over retreat on climate policy
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Net Zero
Sunak Eyes Scrapping an EU-Era Pollution Law to Boost Housebuilding - Bloomberg
2023-07-07 (or before) in BloombergRishi Sunak is considering scrapping an environmental law dating back to UK membership of the European Union, as his government faces pressure to build more houses while fending off a voter backlash on pollution.
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak
Revealed: UK plans to drop flagship £11.6bn climate pledge
2023-07-04 in The GuardianExclusive: Disclosure provokes fury as Rishi Sunak accused of betraying populations vulnerable to global heating
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Finance
Sunak U-turn on wind farms in England draws wrath of green Tories
2023-07-02 in The GuardianPrime minister under fire as government backtracks on plan for more onshore turbines to keep voters on side
Tagged under: Renewable Energy | Rishi Sunak | Wind Power
The UK electricity bill is the highest in the entire world
2023-05-13 in Vox Political | politics for the peopleSo now we know. All Rishi Sunak’s talk about working hard to get our energy bills down has been silly nonsense. The UK has the highest electricity bills, not just in Europe or the West, but i…
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Electricity
Sunak food summit promises star guest and lots of rhubarb
2023-05-13 in The GuardianIt’s hard to see the PM’s talks with farmers, store chiefs and the (rumoured) odd TV star producing concrete proposals
Tagged under: Farming | Rishi Sunak
Trust is a finite resource
2023-05-12 in Business GreenThe government will try and argue its bonfire of regulations will not weaken environmental protections, just as it is trying to convince people it is serious about onshore wind development - but such gaslighting will be met with a weary scepticism
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak
The politics of poo: How sewage-strewn beaches became Britain’s new election battleground
2023-04-04 in PoliticoRishi Sunak’s Conservatives are under fire over the rancid state of Britain’s waterways.
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak
Hasty changes to Sunak’s climate strategy reveal a warring Tory party
2023-03-30 in The GuardianMajor omissions and a last-minute refocus on energy security rather than net zero suggest a prime minister buffeted by internal factions
Tagged under: Climate Change | Rishi Sunak | Net Zero
Hundreds of UK scientists and academics urge Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to prevent any new oil and gas field development | www.zero.cam.ac.uk
2023-03-30 (or before) in zero.cam.ac.ukTagged under: Rishi Sunak
UK scientists urge Rishi Sunak to halt new oil and gas developments
2023-03-29 in The GuardianCall comes on eve of revised net zero strategy that allows drilling in North Sea and boosts ‘unproven’ carbon capture
Tagged under: IPCC | Climate Change | Rishi Sunak | Net Zero
The UK’s ‘green day’ has turned into a fossil fuel bonanza – dirty money powers the Sunak government | George Monbiot
2023-03-29 in The GuardianIn prioritising oil and gas over renewables, ministers are doing the bidding of the polluters, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
Tagged under: Renewable Energy | Greenhouse Gases | Rishi Sunak | Fossil Fuels
'Green Day'? Fears grow government is to prioritise fossil fuel projects in upgraded climate strategy
2023-03-27 in Business GreenReports suggest Number 10 wants to rebadge much-anticipated 'Green Day' package of decarbonisation policies as 'Energy Security Day' and ensure a lead role for new gas projects
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Net Zero | Decarbonisation
Police in England and Wales to get new powers to shut down protests before disruption begins
2023-01-15 in The GuardianPlans aimed at preventing tactics such as ‘slow marching’ part of Rishi Sunak’s public order crackdown
Tagged under: Activism | Rishi Sunak
'Mad Dash' Plan To Scrap Thousands Of EU Laws This Year Called 'Bonkers' By Legal Experts
2023-01-14 (or before) in Politics HomePrime Minister Rishi Sunak is sticking with his post-Brexit plan sort out around 4,000 EU laws by the end of the year, despite warnings that doing so ...
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak
Sunak’s government ‘going backwards’ on green economy, says CBI
2022-12-05 in The GuardianBusiness bosses ‘confused and disappointed’ by PM’s lack of growth plan in face of recession
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Economics | Economic Growth
Sunak’s growth fetish is a problem: he’s heading for the same budget trap as Truss | Tim Jackson
2022-11-16 in The GuardianThe siren call of climate-burning expansion bewitches British politics. More of the same will emerge in the autumn statement, says Tim Jackson, professor of sustainable development at the University of Surrey
Tagged under: COP27 | Rishi Sunak | Economics | Economic Growth
Britain faces £100m loss over drilling at biggest new oil field, says research
2022-10-30 in The GuardianNorwegian firm wants to develop Rosebank field in North Sea but Sunak’s tax break for fossil fuel producers could cost UK dear
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak
Sunak urges banks to keep funding oil and gas firms after windfall tax
2022-06-23 in The GuardianSector says £5bn energy profits levy will make investment in new projects and renewables more difficult
Tagged under: Renewable Energy | Rishi Sunak
Fossil fuel projects that qualify for Rishi Sunak’s tax relief ‘could create 899 million tonnes of CO2’ | The Independent
2022-06-07 (or before) in The IndependentIf all 39 projects are approved they could produce the equivalent of nearly 1.9 billion barrels of oil
Tagged under: Climate Change | Rishi Sunak | Fossil Fuels
Rishi Sunak’s Stealth Subsidy for Fossil Fuel Firms is ‘Disastrous’ says UK’s Former Climate Chief – Byline Times
2022-05-27 by in Byline TimesSir David King told Adam Bienkov that the stealth tax cut would damage the fight for 'a manageable future for humanity'
Tagged under: Climate Change | Rishi Sunak
Sunak urged to issue green bonds with higher returns if climate goals missed
2022-05-02 in The GuardianThinktank says following Chile’s example would give ministers greater incentive to meet targets
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Chile
UK set to ‘torpedo climate action’ by approving six new North Sea oil and gas fields
2022-02-14 (or before) in The IndependentChancellor Rishi Sunak has said he wants to encourage more investment in new fossil fuel drilling
Tagged under: Climate Change | Rishi Sunak | Net Zero
Six North Sea oil and gas fields to be fired up amid Cabinet row over net zero
2022-02-08 (or before) in The TelegraphNew drilling to be approved as Number 10 faces resistance over green moves and spending
Tagged under: Rishi Sunak | Net Zero
Treasury leak reveals rift between Johnson and Sunak over costs of zero-carbon economy
2021-10-16 in The GuardianWith weeks to go before the Cop26 climate summit, documents show PM being warned about the risks of damage to the UK from green investment
Tagged under: COP26 | Rishi Sunak
Government preps autumn green bond and pension push, but tensions over net zero plans remain
2021-09-06 in Business GreenDebate over how to fund raft of net zero programmes looks set to dominate the coming months
Tagged under: COP26 | Rishi Sunak | Net Zero | Finance
UK spending far more on polluting policies than green ones, says WWF
2021-08-12 in The GuardianJust £145m of budget went on environment with £40bn spent on emissions-increasing measures, says charity
Tagged under: COP26 | Greenhouse Gases | Rishi Sunak
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