A group of influential politicians across different parties have urged UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak to set an example by attending the UN climate summit this November, as both major parties come under pressure over their net-zero policies.
The MPs and peers want Sunak to commit to attending Cop28 in Dubai, and to appoint a secretary of state as special envoy for the climate ahead of the UN general assembly in September, where preparations will be made for Cop28.
“The UK has an important role to play in leveraging its international influence, and working constructively with all [countries], to help secure an agreed package that clearly names the requirement to phase out all fossil fuels and set goals for the upscaling of renewables,” they wrote, in a letter from the all-party parliamentary group for climate.
They also said that working to guarantee a successful outcome at Cop28 is not just essential for the health of people and the planet, but economically the right thing for Britain.
“As the Office for Budget Responsibility advised, continuing to rely on gas at the current level will come at double the cost of transitioning to net zero,’they wrote. “As you were recently warned by top energy companies, backing away from green policies would be catastrophic for the economy.”
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Zac Goldsmith, a former Tory minister who resigned last month, blaming Sunak for his failure to lead on green issues, is the most prominent Conservative among the 23 signatories, which also include the former Labour minister Hilary Benn, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, Daisy Cooper, and the outgoing Green party MP Caroline Lucas. Lord Randall, the former environment advisor to Theresa May, is among the Tories signing, and there were two Scottish National party signatories.
Sunak is said to have faced calls from sections of his party and the media to row back on green commitments after the Tory victory in the Uxbridge byelection last Thursday, where concerns over the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) were judged to be a significant factor. The prime minister said on Monday that green policies must be “proportionate and pragmatic”.
Story was adapted from the Guardian.
