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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Fiona Harvey Environment editor

Net zero has become unhelpful slogan, says outgoing head of UK climate watchdog

Two technicians installing a heat pump unit at a 1930s-built house in Folkestone, UK; they are crouching down and positioning it in front of a white wall
‘It’s strange that some see heat pumps as an enemy of the people,’ Stark said. Photograph: Andrew Aitchison/In Pictures/Getty Images

The concept of “net zero” has become a political slogan used to start a “dangerous” culture war over the climate, and may be better dropped, the outgoing head of the UK’s climate watchdog has warned.

Chris Stark, the chief executive of the Climate Change Committee (CCC), said sensible improvements to the economy and people’s lives were being blocked by a populist response to the net zero label, and he would be “intensely relaxed” about losing the term.

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