Rishi Sunak rejects referendum on 2050 net-zero economy pledge

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has ruled out the suggestion of a referendum on the pledge to have a net-zero economy by 2050, saying he is “committed” to reducing carbon emissions.

The target could be achieved in a “proportionate and pragmatic way” without stinging the public’s pocket, Mr Sunak said.

Following his party's success in last month’s Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election, during which local campaigners tapped into anger over the expansion of the ultra low emission zone (Ulez), some backbench MPs have called on the government to review other green policies.

Rishi Sunak says path to net zero must be 'pragmatic' amid cost-of-living crisis

Since the shock win in Boris Johnson’s former seat, Mr Sunak has signalled he is on the side of motorists and used a visit to Scotland to announce plans to grant more than 100 new licences for oil and gas extraction in the North Sea.

The Conservative Party leader has insisted that, despite concerns raised by the likes of former Conservative environment minister Lord Goldsmith about the Prime Minister’s green ambitions, he is working towards the 2050 net-zero target.

Speaking to ITV News in Leicester on Wednesday, Mr Sunak said: “I’m committed to net zero.

“I have two young daughters, I care about the environment that we – I – leave them.

“My job is to leave it in a better state than I found it.

“But I think the path to net zero has got to be one that we tread carefully, that we bring everyone along with us on that journey, and we make that journey in a proportionate and a pragmatic way.

“So, my view is I’m committed to it. We will get there.

“We will bring people along with us as we do, we will not unnecessarily burden them with extra hassle or extra cost as we do it. That is my overall approach to net zero.”

Eight countries with net-zero emissions – in pictures

Guyana is net zero thanks to dense rainforest cover, despite being a newly oil-producing nation. AFP

Bhutan was the first country to report net-zero emissions. Getty

Niue's emissions are negligible, at less than 0.0001 per cent. Photo: Flickr

Suriname's forests absorb billions of tonnes of CO2. Getty

Panama was one of the first three countries to report net-zero emissions. Photo: Flickr

The Comoros government has reported its carbon emissions have been in the negative since at least 2015. AFP

Almost 90 per cent of Gabon's surface is covered by forests, allowing for optimal carbon absorption. Getty

Madagascar may lose its net-zero status if rampant deforestation continues. Photo: Alexandra Laube / imageBROKER / Shutterstock

When asked whether he would consider putting the 2050 deadline to a public vote, Mr Sunak appeared to rule it out, saying he thought there was “agreement on it”.

“I think most people are committed to getting to net zero, but getting there in a proportionate and pragmatic way,” he continued.

“That seems to me that commonsense approach to doing this, I think that has broad support.”

Mr Sunak was also asked about Greenpeace attacking his constituency home while he was away on holiday in the US with his family.

A group of demonstrators scaled the Sunaks’ Grade II-listed constituency manor house in Richmond, North Yorkshire, to protest against his oil and gas licences announcement.

The activists draped an oil-black fabric from the roof, staying there from about 8am to 1.15pm, when they were arrested and later bailed as part of an ongoing investigation by North Yorkshire Police.

The Prime Minister suggested he agreed that it should not have been possible for protesters to get to his Yorkshire home, but said it “wouldn’t be right” for him to comment further following the arrests.

Mr Sunak said he had given the police additional powers to crack down on “these kinds of eco extremists, these eco zealots, the Just Stop Oil and others who are disrupting all these sporting events over the summer in particular”.

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

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