Britain will ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030, five years earlier than previously planned, as part of what Prime Minister Boris Johnson is casting as a ‘green revolution’ to cut emission to net zero by 2050.
Johnson, who is grappling with Europe’s most deadly COVID-19 crisis, Brexit trade negotiations and the departure of his most senior adviser, wants to underscore his green credentials as part of what he hopes will be a reset for his government.
‘Now is the time to plan for a green recovery with high-skilled jobs that give people the satisfaction of knowing they are helping to make the country cleaner, greener and more beautiful’, Johnson said in a column published in the Financial Times on Tuesday.
Britain last year became the first G7 country to set in law a net zero emission target by 2050, which will require wholesale changes in the way Britons travel, use energy and eat.
In total the plan would mobilise 12 billion pound ($16 billion) of government money, with as much as three times that amount coming from the private sector, and create and support 250,000 highly skilled green jobs by 2030, Johnson said.
The new date for a ban on new petrol and diesel cars is five years earlier than the 2035 pledge made by Johnson in February. The sale of hybrid cars and vans would be banned from 2035 under the new plan.
An extra 200 million pounds would create industrial clusters mustering technology capture, store and use carbon dioxide emission by the mid-2020s. Another two hubs are projected by 2030, taking the total investment in the technology to 1 billion pounds.
Johnson, who promised to increase Britain’s offshore wind power to 40 gigawatts by 2030 from around 10GW now, pledged up to 500 million pounds for projects trialing the use of hydrogen including for home heating and cooking.
The government would also help to develop large and small scale nuclear plants.
Johnson’s plan was broadly welcomed by industry.
‘It gives a springboard to the huge opportunities for U.K.-wide investment and green jobs that a true low-carbon economy can bring’, Josh Hardie director at the Confederation of British Industry, said in a separate statement.
The Kremlin on Friday said it hoped ‘crazy’ calls to sanction Russian business people would not become a reality and that it was planning ways to best protect Russia’s interests, its citizens and businesses. The Kremlin said it was closely following media reports about a possible new round of U.S. sanctions.
Moscow will soon publish a list of U.S. citizens it will take measures against in response to sanctions imposed on Russians over the case of opposition politician Alexei Navalny, the TASS news agency cited the foreign ministry as saying on Friday. The Kremlin on Wednesday played down the impact of sanctions imposed by the United … More Russia Will Soon Publish Retaliatory Stop List Of U.S. Citizens – TASS Cites Foreign Ministry
The Saudi – led coalition fighting the Houthi group in Yemen said it had destroyed four explosive drones fired towards the Kingdom on Friday, with the Houthis claiming to have launched an attack into southern Saudi Arabia at dawn. The Iran – aligned Houthis have recently stepped up cross – border drone and missile attacks … More Saudi – Led Coalition Says It Downed Four Drones Fired By Houthis Towards Khamis Mushait
The Arab Coalition intercepted and destroyed an explosive – laden drone launched on Friday by Yemen’s Iran – backed Houthi Militia toward Saudi Arabia’s Khamis Mushait, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. Khamis Mushait is a southwestern city home to the King Khalid Air Base. Coalition Spokesperson Colonel Turki al – Maliki said, ‘the … More Arab Coalition Destroys Explosive – Laden Drone Targeting Saudi Arabia’s Khamis Mushait.
Kuwait will impose a 5 P.M. to 5 A.M. curfew from Sunday until April 8 as the government tries to stem of the rising coronavirus infections, state TV reported on Thursday. During non – curfew, people are not allowed to enter restaurants and coffee shops and orders are to be picked up through drive thrush … More Kuwait Imposes 12 Hour Curfew For A Month Amid Spike In COVID-19 Cases
Saudi Arabia’s authorities approved the start of receiving international flights at Prince Abdulmajeed bin Abdulaziz Airport in Al-Ula after the completion of its expansion project, the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said on Thursday. The airport, which was established in 2011, became the fifth largest airport in the Kingdom, with a total area … More Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ula Airport Opens To International Flights After Expansion
The United States called on Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to renounce its special and differential treatment in negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO), nothing the G20 member was designed as a high – income country by the World Bank. ‘Saudi Arabia is a wealthy and influential player in the global economy’, Washington said in … More U.S. Urges Saudi Arabia To Give Up Special Developing Nation Status At WTO
Saudi Arabia will provide coronavirus vaccines in pharmacies around the Kingdom for free, the country’s Minister of Health Dr. Tawfik al – Rabiah told Al Araiya on Wednesday. This comes as part of efforts to expand the ongoing inoculation campaign and facilitate access to vaccine sites, he added. Over 100 vaccine centers have opened around … More Saudi Arabia To Provide Free COVID-19 Vaccines In Pharmacies: Health Minister
‘One Night In Miami’ actor Kingsley Ben – Adir and ‘The Personal History of David Cooperfield’ actress Morfydd Clark are among this year’s nominees for the EE Rising Star Award, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) said on Wednesday. The list of five contenders, all British, also includes ‘Rocks’ actress Bukky Bakray, Conrad … More BAFTA Announces All British Nominees For EE Rising Star Award
The Saudi – led coalition fighting the Houthis Yemen said it had destroyed a drone launched by the Iran – aligned group towards the southern region of the kingdom, Saudi State TV reported on Wednesday. There was no immediate comment from the Houthis.