The Environment Minister of Jersey, Steve Luce, has scrapped proposals to ban the importation of second-hand petrol and diesel cars starting in 2030. He acknowledged that public opinion on this policy change was significantly against such a ban, as indicated by responses he received which highlighted concerns over affordability for the islanders. This decision represents a considerable shift from previous commitments made by politicians, who had aimed to phase out all petrol and diesel vehicles in alignment with Jersey's Carbon Neutral Roadmap.

Luce's announcement was made during a session with the States, where he emphasized that affordability played a critical role in the reversal of the planned import ban. The proposed ban was originally part of a broader strategy to combat climate change, mirroring similar initiatives in the United Kingdom. However, the Environment Minister's recent comments suggest that he did not solely hinge the decision on public sentiment but also took into consideration findings from a preliminary economic impact assessment.

This decision could have implications for Jersey’s environmental goals, as the continued importation of second-hand petrol and diesel vehicles may hinder progress toward achieving carbon neutrality. However, it may also alleviate the financial burden on residents who rely on used vehicles. Moving forward, it remains to be seen if similar alternative policies will be proposed that balance environmental targets with the economic concerns highlighted during this discussion.