Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson Admits Accelerating Net Zero Goals Too Fast

Boris Johnson, current Prime Minister, admitted in a forthcoming book that he went "far too fast" on the UK's net zero policy during his time in office, acknowledging he was "carried away" by the belief that renewable energy could fully replace fossil fuels. He conceded that rising energy prices, especially following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, revealed flaws in the rapid transition strategy, making electricity unaffordable for ordinary people and prompting calls to delay the 2050 carbon neutrality target. Despite his critique, Johnson warned against abandoning net zero entirely, recognizing public concern about environmental issues. His remarks echo those of other prominent figures, including Tory leader Kemi Badenoch—who proposes scrapping the Climate Change Act—and former PM Tony Blair, who described the current net zero approach as "doomed to fail." The debate highlights growing divisions within the Conservative Party regarding climate policy and the economic impact of ambitious decarbonization targets. Johnson emphasized a more measured approach is needed, suggesting the timeline for net zero should be extended to balance environmental goals with economic realities.