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Europeans Love Green Policies–Until the Bill Comes Due

2 points by Bostonian 3y ago

Bostonian 3y ago
https://archive.ph/hubIV https://archive.ph/hubIV subtitle: "Voters in the region worry about climate change. But they also like their cars." 'LONDON—For years, Europe has been at the forefront of the global drive to curb carbon emissions and slow climate change, pledging to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Overwhelming numbers of Europeans say they like the idea. Now, however, a small but growing backlash suggests a more complicated truth: Voters may like the idea more than the reality. As the time draws near to take concrete actions and the costs of the transition become more visible, some members of the public and politicians will get cold feet. This week, the U.K. said it would delay a planned ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered cars and vans to 2035 from 2030, and ease plans to force households to scrap their gas-powered boilers for pricier but cleaner heat pumps. It also promised never to impose a carbon tax on meat or aviation, two other sources of emissions. “The risk here for those of us who care about reaching net zero by 2050 is if we continue down this path, we risk losing the consent of the British people,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said, arguing that politicians hadn’t been honest with working families about the costs. Germany, run by a coalition that includes the Green Party, also recently watered down its plans to ban new gas heaters for homes after a backlash from homeowners and opposition politicians. Poland’s government, facing October elections, is suing the European Union over some aspects of its climate targets, including a 2035 ban on the sale of new petrol cars. In the Netherlands, a pro-farmers political party that emerged out of protests against the government’s plans to limit nitrogen emissions won the highest share of seats in regional elections earlier this year. The surprise victory cast a spotlight on a movement that has pushed back against European and Dutch environmental policies.'

2 points by Bostonian 3y ago

https://archive.ph/hubIV https://archive.ph/hubIV subtitle: "Voters in the region worry about climate change. But they also like their cars." 'LONDON—For years, Europe has been at the forefront of the global drive to curb carbon emissions and slow climate change, pledging to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Overwhelming numbers of Europeans say they like the idea. Now, however, a small but growing backlash suggests a more complicated truth: Voters may like the idea more than the reality. As the time draws near to take concrete actions and the costs of the transition become more visible, some members of the public and politicians will get cold feet. This week, the U.K. said it would delay a planned ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered cars and vans to 2035 from 2030, and ease plans to force households to scrap their gas-powered boilers for pricier but cleaner heat pumps. It also promised never to impose a carbon tax on meat or aviation, two other sources of emissions. “The risk here for those of us who care about reaching net zero by 2050 is if we continue down this path, we risk losing the consent of the British people,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said, arguing that politicians hadn’t been honest with working families about the costs. Germany, run by a coalition that includes the Green Party, also recently watered down its plans to ban new gas heaters for homes after a backlash from homeowners and opposition politicians. Poland’s government, facing October elections, is suing the European Union over some aspects of its climate targets, including a 2035 ban on the sale of new petrol cars. In the Netherlands, a pro-farmers political party that emerged out of protests against the government’s plans to limit nitrogen emissions won the highest share of seats in regional elections earlier this year. The surprise victory cast a spotlight on a movement that has pushed back against European and Dutch environmental policies.'