COP27: Rishi Sunak to attend international climate talks

Reacting to the news that the Prime Minister will now attend the UN climate talks in Egypt, which begin later this week, Rachel Kennerley, international climate campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:

“It would have been a remarkable own goal for the Prime Minister to miss this year’s UN climate talks as the UK’s own presidency draws to a close, so it’s good that he’s seen sense and decided to attend.

“But simply showing up won’t be enough. The UK government has a lot of work to do to rebuild its climate reputation after a year of rowing back on commitments made in Glasgow.

“The PM quashed plans to revive fracking which was a good start to his tenure. If the UK expects to be taken seriously at the negotiating table, then the government must scrap plans for new oil and gas in the North Sea and say no to the UK’s first deep coal mine in 30 years.

“These talks must also unblock the vital financial support countries including the UK have promised to communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

“Beyond this, investing in cheap, clean and popular renewables alongside a nationwide insulation scheme to fix our heat-leaking homes must be the focus. This will lower soaring energy bills, cut harmful carbon emissions and help our economy thrive.”

ENDS