UK's big energy firms accused of failing to tackle climate crisis

Shell, BP and Centrica have talked of backing EU emissions target but withheld support

The UK's largest energy companies have withheld support for a legally binding target to reduce the EU's emissions to net zero by 2050, even while publicly backing the plans.

Royal Dutch Shell, BP and British Gas's owner, Centrica, have all publicly thrown their weight behind more ambitious EU emissions cuts, but none supported the Brussels proposals for a tougher target in an official consultation.