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Analysis

Climate change: Boris Johnson risks hypocrisy and mixed messages over Cumbria coal mine

His refusal to stop the opening of a new coal mine risks public confidence in his environmental credentials, Lisa Holland writes.

(Pic: West Cumbria Mining)
Image: The government gave the mine the go-ahead in January. Pic: West Cumbria Mining
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It's easy to claim the crown of climate leader, but as the government is finding out the cap must fit.

This year is critical for tackling the climate emergency but having secured the status of host nation for November's COP26 climate conference, the government simply can't put a foot wrong.

Net-zero policies need to be rolled out with the skill of a top-class bowling champion.

The latest involves speculation about widening carbon taxes along the "polluter pays" principle.

Britain's biggest polluters
Britain's biggest polluters

That requires public buy-in which isn't a given and is even harder if decision makers stand accused of climate hypocrisy.

Boris Johnson is the prime minister who proudly announced to the world last year that Britain would be to wind power what Saudi Arabia is to oil - the king of the wind turbine.

Yet he has refused to intervene on plans for a new coal mine in Whitehaven in Cumbria - around 130 miles from Glasgow, the host city for the COP26 summit.

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The journey to net zero CO2

The well-established mantra of environmentalists is that no coal mine - whatever the coal is for and whatever the import alternatives are - should be opened in the UK. Coal must stay in the ground.

And coal from mines that are already open, even if they are abroad, should be used first.

The government risks sending out confusing mixed messages and irritating the public.

For all its new policies, it can't get to net zero alone.