The U.K.'s Labour government is weighing adjustments to electric vehicle sales targets and other environmental goals as it prioritizes economic growth and political stability.
Charlie Cooper reports for POLITICO.
In short:
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration is reviewing rules on EV sales amid industry concerns over profit margins and competitiveness.
- Labour’s broader push for growth, including housing and airport expansions, is sparking debates between environmental goals and economic demands.
- The government faces criticism from climate advocates, warning that relaxing targets could undermine key climate objectives.
Key quote:
“I’ve got no interest in the country hitting its climate targets by shutting down jobs and industry.”
— Jonathan Reynolds, U.K. business secretary
Why this matters:
Delays or rollbacks in green policies could hinder efforts to meet critical climate commitments, affecting global momentum on emissions reduction.
Related coverage: Labour proposes extensive overhaul to decarbonise UK transport
