Today’s developments come amid
tensions within the Conservative Party over its green policies, as questions
are raised about the government’s ability to meet its net zero target by 2050.

Climate advisers have warned that
without much faster action the UK risks falling behind in its efforts to reach
net zero, which means no longer adding to the total amount of greenhouse gases
in the atmosphere.

Sunak has said he is committed to
meeting the target in a “pragmatic and proportionate way” but without
“unnecessarily adding costs and burdens to families”.

The prime minister
faces calls from within his party to change the deadline for the 2030 ban on
the sale of new petrol and diesels cars – although he said over the weekend he
was not planning to do so.

There has also been debate over
the expansion of London’s ultra-low emission zone (Ulez), which was widely seen
as helping the Tories seal a narrow victory in the Uxbridge by-election.

Since that result, Sunak has
pursued a strong “pro-motorist” message, including over the weekend saying he would
review low-traffic neighbourhoods – which aim to reduce traffic and emissions
in certain areas – in England.