His appointment by Liz Truss has already caused alarm due to Mr Jayawardena's voting record, which shows he has "consistently voted against measures to prevent climate change", and also against government support for renewable energy projects, according to the website They Work For You.
Despite this stance, he has previously said he recognises the importance of the UK taking climate action, and has campaigned for improved recycling as well as supporting government moves to ban plastic straws in 2020.
An MP since 2015 and formerly a junior minister at the trade department, Mr Jayawardena replaces George Eustice, who was appointed to the role by Boris Johnson in February 2020.
Mr Jayawardena's voting record suggests he favours a light touch when it comes to environment regulations that could impact business.
The records on They Work For You show Mr Jayawardena voted "not to require a 'climate and nature emergency impact statement' as part of any proposal for financial assistance under a United Kingdom Internal Market Act", in September 2020.
He also voted "not to require ministers to have due regard to the target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 when taking actions including setting up agricultural subsidy schemes", in October 2020.
Esta historia es de la edición September 08, 2022 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 08, 2022 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Ireland hold off Argentina fightback in narrow victory
Ireland survived a major scare as they kickstarted their autumn campaign by holding off a spirited Argentina side to return to winning ways with an unconvincing 22-19 victory in Dublin.
Revamped England hope to disrupt mighty Springboks
The mixed memories of an enchanting Paris evening cut short have swirled in English heads for 13 months.
England find a new way to play... without their captain
Once again, Harry Kane is the first name on the England football team teamsheet.
EU allies are impatient for Brexit reset, Starmer is told
Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to step up his plans for a postBrexit reset of relations with the European Union after an unprecedented warning from the Bank of England.
Cop climate talks no longer fit for purpose, say experts
Former high-ranking UN officials have written an open letter calling for a complete overhaul of the Cop talks, stating that the process is \"no longer fit for purpose\" in dealing with a rapidly intensifying climate crisis.
Ukraine will have to pay the price for Putin and Trump's delusions about one another
Tom Watling speaks to US and British former officials about the overconfidence of the president-elect and Russia's leader
Iran 'won't block Lebanon' in ceasefire talks with Israel
Iran will back any decision taken by Lebanon in talks to secure a ceasefire with Israel, a senior Iranian official has said, signalling Tehran wants to see an end to a conflict that has dealt heavy blows to its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah.
RFK Jr faces pushback to nomination from the right
Robert F Kennedy Jr is facing criticism from proand antiabortion activists, arguing he is not a conviction politician
Met Office says winter is coming with 20cm of snow
The Met Office has issued several yellow weather warnings for snow and ice for this weekend and the start of next week.
Five guilty of killing teens in mistaken identity case
A man and four teenagers were found guilty yesterday of murdering two boys in a case of mistaken identity in a botched revenge attack.
