Boris Johnson has been accused hypocrisy following revelations that he pumped 21 tonnes of CO2 in two weeks while lecturing about climate changes on his friend and billionaire private jet.
In the two-week period leading up to May’s local elections, the prime minister flew more than 1,200 miles aboard Lord Bamford’s JCB tycoon jet.
According to The Sunday Mirror at least two more businessman-piloted flights were made,
After it was revealed that Boris Johnson had pumped 21 tonnes of CO2 in two weeks, Johnson was accused of hypocrisy. Pictured: Johnson leaving a private helicopter in Wolverhampton, May
In the two weeks leading up to May’s local elections, the prime minister travelled more that 1,200 miles on Lord Bamford’s JCB tycoon’s jet (pictured together last week).
If he had travelled by train, Johnson would have used up a fraction of the CO2, while a car would take a year to produce the same emissions as the £47million Gulfstream jet spews out in just one hour.
It comes as the prime Minister prepares to host global leaders to Glasgow for Cop26 climate summit.
Last month, he called on his UN counterparts to ‘blow out the candles of a world on fire’ and tackle climate change together in a powerful speech in New York.
Dr Doug Parr, Greenpeace’s chief scientist, stated that Prime Ministerial actions have far greater consequences than any Hollywood star or royal. Prime Ministerial hypocrisy can be deeply detrimental to public trust.
The Gulfstream G650 jet flight would have produced around 21.2 tonnes CO2, which is about three times the annual emissions of an individual.
The flights on the Gulfstream G650 jet (pictured) would have released around 21.2 tonnes of CO2, the third of a person’s annual emissions
130 trees would be required to be planted in order to offset these travels.
Johnson appeared virtually at Germany’s Petersberg Climate Dialogue, where he encouraged leaders to offer more than ‘hot air’ to prevent climate change.
He stated that he would be seeking commitments from G7 members to use the voices and votes of their members wherever and whenever possible, to support the transition towards net zero (carbon emission), kickstart a green industry revolution, and build economies that can withstand any changes in our changing climate.
He then boarded a private helicopter to inaugurate a Coventry school, and then flew to the North East to take advantage of Hartlepool’s by-election win.
The flights were declared as donations in kind to the Conservative Party, with estimated costs of £40,254.71.
Johnson’s wife Carrie is also likely to be embarrassed by the revelations. She is an environmentalist and avid shopper. She was not present on the flight.
The prime minister is far from the first eco campaigner to be criticised for their use of private jets, after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were slammed for their excessive use of the gas-guzzling transport while lecturing about climate change.
Johnson’s wife Carrie is also likely to be embarrassed by the revelations. She is an avid environmentalist. She was not aboard the flights.
A spokesperson for the Conservative Party stated that it was important for party leaders not to travel across the country in short time.
This week, Johnson unveiled his Net Zero strategy to turn Britain green by 2050 – but was warned by the Treasury that taxes and consumer costs could rise to cover the estimated £1trillion bill.
Boris Johnson, in a foreword to the government paper titled Net Zero Strategy. Build Back Greener – stated that the UK would ‘lead this charge’
As well as clean flights, a shift to electric cars by 2035, and gas boilers out by 2030, there will be a focus on encouraging homeowners to be more environmentally-conscious.
This could be done by incentivizing mortgage lenders that prioritize properties with higher energy ratings.
In typical bullish style Mr Johnson insists that he is not afraid of ‘leading the charge’. He said that history has never been made in the back seat of the class.
He claimed that Russia is following China’s lead, even though Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping are expected not to attend the COP26 summit. This summit is where the premier asks world leaders to reduce carbon emissions.
China also announced plans to increase oil and gas exploration and build more coal-fired power stations in recent weeks. This raises questions about China’s seriousness about environmental issues.
According to the government, switching from fossil fuels, to clean energy, such as wind and new nuclear, can reduce import dependence and protect families against price spikes. The government estimates that 440,000 jobs with good salaries can be created in the next decade.
The Net Zero Plan outlines the steps that different elements must take to reduce their carbon emissions over coming years.
However, there are growing concerns from the Tory backbenches at the consequences of the push – which economists say is likely to cost £1trillion over 30 years, although the bill for dealing with climate change would almost certainly be higher.
Rishi Sunak, Treasury, issued a separate warning about this burden in a separate document. It stated that the transition will have material fiscal consequences’.
Although it acknowledged that global inaction on climate change would have greater costs than action, the assessment stated that the government must consider ‘wider and longer-term pressures on the public finances’.
The analysis showed that subsidies like those for electric cars favor the wealthy while adding costs to the pockets of the poor.
They said the bill for improving insulation varies massively between properties, from a few hundred pounds to nearly £8,500 for ‘non-standard dwellings’.
One chart flagged the huge range of possible outcomes from the Net Zero process – suggesting that heating, power and transport costs could rise from around £2,400 a year now to around £2,600 in 2050.
However, they could also fall to £1,800 at the optimistic end of the spectrum.