Environment minister Zac Goldsmith has said the ongoing petrol crisis is a “good lesson” in the need for the dependence on fossil fuels to end.
In an interview with The Independent Lord Goldsmith said queues at petrol stations amid current shortages should serve as a reminder of the need to accelerate the switch to electric vehicles.
He also dismissed fears the current difficulties could make it harder to achieve political and public backing for an agreement to tackle the climate emergency at the forthcoming Cop26 summit in Glasgow.
It’s a pretty good lesson on the need to unhook ourselves from dependence on fossil fuels
Zac Goldsmith, environment minister
Lord Goldsmith conceded the petrol shortages represented “a crisis” with serious implications for many businesses and people.
But he added: “I don’t think it damages the momentum we’re seeing in relation to climate. It’s a pretty good lesson on the need to unhook ourselves from dependence on fossil fuels. You’re not seeing the same problems with people who have electric vehicles.”
Lord Goldsmith also condemned sceptics, including within his own Conservative Party who were organising a “fightback” against the push for net-zero carbon emissions ahead of Cop26.
