EU ban on gas boilers on the brink of being scrapped as Europe hit with swathe of rebellions
The EU is considering a ban on the sale of stand-alone fossil-fuel-powered boilers from 2029
PA
Europe is facing a battle over gas boilers with a ban on the item threatening to cause major rebellions.
The EU is considering a ban on the sale of stand-alone fossil-fuel-powered boilers from 2029. But the prospect of a ban has triggered fury among countries across Europe.
Meanwhile, decisions to row back on climate-conscious policies are also triggering a backlash.
While a ban on gas boilers is seen as one that could significantly contribute to meeting climate change targets, it is also politically risky as it could have the effect of tipping moderate voters towards the right.
A ban on gas boilers is seen as one that could significantly contribute to meeting climate change targets
PA
Germany was forced to row back on their support for the plan in the wake of massive government infighting and public outcries.
The backlash coincided with a boost in popularity for far-right party AfD.
Earlier this month, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner told Politico that stricter energy efficiency rules for buildings could fuel the rise of the far-right, amid growing apathy across Europe over plans to reach net zero.
Meanwhile, economist Jean Pisani-Ferr explained: "In Germany, we wanted to proceed with a ban without providing budgetary resources.
"So people revolted. We cannot put people before an equation without a solution."
French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday ruled out a ban on gas boilers.
And on Friday, protestors in Sweden took to the streets after the Government officially abandoned its climate targets for 2030 and decided new tax cuts for fossil fuels.
The rebellion on climate policies coincided with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's decision to water down the UK's approach to reaching net zero.
WATCH NOW: Rishi Sunak unveils 'new approach' to net zero
The PM used a speech last Wednesday to promise to bring an end to "heavy-handed policies", including taxes on eating meat, taxes to discourage flying and forcing people into paying for expensive insulation.
The speech saw him herald a new approach to tackling climate change, warning: "We risk losing the consent of the British people” for net zero policies.
He said the UK is "proud to be a world leader in reaching net zero by 2050 - but we simply won't achieve it until we change".
The Prime Minister said the new approach will be "more realistic" and "ease the burden" on families.
He said: "In a democracy, this is the only realistic path to net zero.
"Consent, not imposition. That's how we'll turn the challenge of net zero into the greatest opportunity and the greatest achievement of our lifetime."
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Sunak added: "We are going to change the way our politics works."
But he ruled out holding a referendum on net zero, saying: “I think everyone’s had enough of referendums, quite frankly. But I think the principle of consent is important... We’re going to get to net zero but we’re going to do it in a fair and proportionate way.”
Asked by GB News how much money the measures would save ordinary people, Sunak said it would save families "thousands of pounds".