Rolling back on green pledges is unchristian and unfair

The government’s U-turn on environmental policies will negatively impact the poorest in our society, both here and abroad, says Holly-Anna Petersen. It is not what God would have us do

This week, the Prime Minister took to the podium and declared a roll back of environmental policies. The phase out of new petrol cars was pushed back from 2030 to 2035; rules around the phasing out of gas boilers were weakened and requirements for landlords to ensure their properties are energy efficient were axed, to name a few. In doing this, he has made it much harder for the UK to meet its 2030 net zero goals, according to the Climate Change Committee.

When the policy changes were challenged following his speech, he reasoned that this change in direction was for the benefit of the poor, and encouraged people to think of those on the sharp end of the cost-of-living crisis. On the face of things, it seems a reasonable proposition. Looking after the poor is a strong biblical principle. Proverbs 31:8-9 encourages us to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”