As Labour and the Conservatives fight over net zero, what are they actually planning?

Rishi Sunak is due to announce millions of pounds to fund carbon-capture technology in the hope of cutting emissions – but is also making a bid to support motorists

Senior Tories have called on ministers to delay or scrap measures they fear will add to the strain on household finances (Getty)

The details of the government’s net zero drive – and Labour’s plans should it win power – have come under intense scrutiny amid the fallout from the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election.

Senior Tories, including Dame Priti Patel, have called on ministers to delay or scrap measures they fear will add to the strain on household finances, such as the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars after 2030.

The expansion of London’s ultra-low-emission zone (Ulez) has also become a flashpoint in the Labour Party, with Sir Keir Starmer’s top team piling pressure on the city’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, to rethink the move after it was blamed for the Uxbridge defeat.

As wildfires engulf the Mediterranean and the UN chief warns that the world is entering an “era of global boiling”, we look at what Labour and the Conservatives are saying about the race to net zero.

Do the Conservatives want more drilling in the North Sea?

Grant Shapps has tried to put clear blue water between the Conservatives and Labour over drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea.

The energy secretary has vowed to “max out” the UK’s reserves, while branding Labour the “political wing of Just Stop Oil” over its plans to stop issuing new drilling licences.

Mr Shapps believes the alternative to “maxing out” Britain’s domestic supplies would be an ongoing reliance on foreign states such as Russia.

What is Labour promising?

Labour has promised to block all new domestic oil and gas developments if it wins power, suggesting it would invest heavily in “green jobs and energy”.

Climate change lead Ed Miliband has said a Labour government would see Britain powered entirely by zero-carbon sources by 2030.

Sir Keir has said the ending of drilling in the North Sea is something “we all know has to happen”, adding that “the only question is when”.

What is Rishi Sunak announcing on carbon capture?

The prime minister is set to announce millions of pounds in funding for a carbon-capture project in Scotland.

During a visit on Monday to the Acorn project in St Fergus, near Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, he is expected to set out new funding that could create as many as 21,000 jobs, The Sunday Times reported.

The project aims to capture carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere for storage in the North Sea.

The technology is believed to be vital for Britain’s net zero drive and will allow oil and gas production to carry on.

Separately, Mr Sunak has ordered a review of the rollout of low-traffic zones amid a Tory backlash over the scheme, which some have dubbed an “attack on motorists”.

How does that play into the bigger row on green policies?

The announcement will ease fears that the government is rowing back on its net zero pledges, while still allowing the Conservatives to promise greater energy security by continuing to drill in the North Sea.

The PM will hope the announcement draws a dividing line between his own party’s position and that of Labour and the SNP, which are both opposed to allowing new licences to drill in the North Sea.

Mr Sunak’s carbon-capture plan comes as Labour and the Tories are beset by infighting over green policies. More than anything, it appears to be an attempt by Mr Sunak to show that despite the noise, he is getting on with the job.