Sunak may attend climate talks

Commenting on reports that Rishi Sunak may now attend the Cop27 Climate Summit in Egypt, Friends of the Earth energy campaigner, Tony Bosworth, said: 

“The prime minister is right to reconsider his decision not to attend the climate summit. If Rishi Sunak wants to be taken seriously on this issue, he should attend these vital talks.

“But showing up is not enough – Sunak’s government must do far more to demonstrate its commitment to building a fossil fuel free future.

“With the government due to decide on whether to allow a new coal mine to go ahead in Cumbria within days, UK credibility on tackling the climate crisis is seriously at stake.

“The government must reject this unnecessary and highly polluting mine – and leave coal in the ground where it belongs.”

ENDS

Notes: 

1. The government is due to make a decision on the Cumbrian coal mine on or before the 8 November.

2. A Planning Inquiry into the coal mine took place in September 2021. Friends of the Earth was one of the two main parties opposing the application for planning permission – along with local campaign group SLACC (South Lakes Against Climate Change).