Renowned broadcaster and environmental campaigner, Chris Packham, has taken a stance against the UK government's decision to weaken key climate policies through a high court legal challenge. Packham has filed for a judicial review of the government's move to abandon timelines for phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles, gas boilers, off-grid fossil fuel domestic heating, and minimum energy ratings for homes. The legal challenge argues that the government's actions have breached obligations under the Climate Change Act. Packham asserts that the government made the decision without public consultation, while failing to provide reasons for the policy delays.

The challenge also highlights a failure to consult on changes and take into account ongoing consultations related to off-grid heating and minimum energy efficiency in rental properties. This legal action follows a previous successful challenge by Friends of the Earth, which argued that the 2021 sixth carbon budget lacked sufficient detail to demonstrate how the UK would achieve net zero by 2050 as mandated by the Climate Change Act. In response to Packham's legal challenge, a spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero firmly rejected the claims, emphasizing that the government has consistently overdelivered on carbon budgets and that the policy changes are aligned with legal net zero commitments.

The spokesperson affirmed the department's commitment to publishing future emissions projections across all sectors. Solicitor Rowan Smith from law firm Leigh Day, representing Packham, stressed the significance of the legal challenge, stating that its success would hold the relevant secretaries of state accountable for implementing policies that enable carbon budgets to be met. The judicial review aims to ensure that the government adheres to its promises and fulfills its obligations under the Climate Change Act.

Packham believes that the decisions made by the government were based on misinformation and argues that the claimed costs on families and the notion that certain measures were no longer necessary are incorrect. He highlights the importance of the zero emissions vehicle and gas boiler policies in achieving the UK's net zero commitments. Packham contends that these policies should not have been altered without proper process and consultation. As the legal challenge proceeds, Packham and his supporters emphasize the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for responsible decision-making for the future security of the planet. They assert that diverting from established plans and targets for short-term political gain is reckless and disregards the global threat we face.

Packham urges for transparency in the government's approach to the Carbon Budget Delivery Plan, emphasizing that it holds the potential to make a significant impact in reducing emissions. In response to Packham's challenge, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero reiterates their commitment to meeting net zero commitments, emphasizing that their pragmatic approach has no material difference on the progress to cut emissions. They argue that the revised timelines provide households with more time to transition, resulting in cost savings for families amidst a high cost of living.