Middle MHK calling for urgent rethink of Island's net-zero targets

But chief minister says the Isle of Man must 'progress or regress'

Middle MHK Stu Peters is urging the government to urgently revisit its net-zero targets and budgets and take a more 'pragmatic approach' to tackling climate change.

He's criticised the £40 million allocated to the Climate Change Transformation Board in 2022 suggesting efforts should instead focus on strengthening the economy.

Although the Island’s net-zero targets are legally binding the chief minister has acknowledged the challenges of achieving the 2030 interim goal of a 35 percent reduction in emissions.

The UK Labour Government has pledged even more ambitious emission-cutting targets but Mr Peters argues that approach is driven by political ideology:

Downing Street says: "Tackling the climate crisis is essential to national energy security, economic growth, and efforts to protect current and future generations."

In Tynwald this week Mr Stu Peters will move: 'That Tynwald is of the opinion that the Council of Ministers should urgently review all net zero targets and budgets with the aim of strengthening the wider Manx economy for the benefit of all residents with a more pragmatic approach to climate change'.

However Chief Minister Alfred Cannan has told Manx Radio he believes it's time to 'progress or regress' with climate change.