Grant Shapps, the energy and net zero secretary, is taking "backward steps", Zac Goldsmith has said in his first major interview since leaving the government.
In a surprisingly frank conversation with the Guardian, the former international environment minister also conceded that Brexit - for which he voted - could be detrimental for the environment in the end if ministers continued to abandon climate commitments in the face of a rightwing resurgence in the Tory party.
Goldsmith resigned from his post in June after serving in government since 2019, claiming that the prime minister was "apathetic" 13 about the environment.
Within a few days, the Guardian revealed that the government would not meet its promised target of delivering £11.6bn to developing countries to tackle the climate crisis.
This would have made Goldsmith's position untenable, as his role was to negotiate with the developing countries expecting the funding.
Goldsmith fears that Rishi Sunak is rowing back on climate measures as he is lobbied by sceptics on the Tory right. He said: "Sunak is obviously talking to a particular gallery. That's what he's doing.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 27, 2023-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 27, 2023-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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Sue Gray Advisers to the PM are often targets of sniping but is it sustainable?
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Revealed Alli gave PM a further £16,000 gift of clothing
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Diplomacy Netanyahu insists Israel is winning on 'seven fronts'
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