LONDON – The British government says it plans to ban the sale of new gas, diesel and hybrid cars by 2035, five years earlier than its previous target, in a bid to speed up its efforts to tackle climate change.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made the announcement as he launched the U.K.'s plans to host the United Nations’ global climate summit.

“There can be no greater responsibility than protecting our planet, and no mission that a Global Britain is prouder to serve,” said Johnson. “2020 must be the year we turn the tide on global warming– it will be the year when we choose a cleaner, greener future for all.”

The government says it will continue to work with all sectors of industry to accelerate the rollout of zero emission vehicles, helping to deliver new green jobs in the U.K.

The COP26 meeting is being held in Glasgow in November.

Johnson, however, is facing criticism from the woman he appointed to lead the conference, then who he fired last week.

Claire O’Neill strongly criticized the prime minister on Tuesday, saying Britain’s efforts to fight climate change were “miles off track.”