Rishi Sunak has faced criticism from Boris Johnson for eroding net zero targets. Photo: Justin Tallis/PA
Rishi Sunak said that was not the case. “pledged to ideological zealots” on climate change ahead of trip to Cop28 summit in Dubai, urging China to take more environmental action.
On Friday morning, the Prime Minister is expected to hold a press meeting conference in the United Arab Emirates, where bilateral negotiations with regional leaders are planned. They will cover the conflict between Israel and the Gaza Strip, as well as topics raised directly at the summit.
He called on other countries to follow the UK's lead by taking a “pragmatic” approach to achieving net-zero emissions, as he defended. recent delays in achieving a number of domestic environmental targets.
Downing Street insisted China's size and economic power meant it had a “vital” role to play, urging countries to heed the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming up to 1.5 degrees.
Mr Sunak's tone on environmental issues is a step forward from Boris Johnson, his predecessor, who compared rising global temperatures to James Bond's “doomsday” and warned of a “historic turning point” when the UK adopted Cop26 during his premiership in 2021.
Speaking during a visit to Guildford on Thursday, Mr Sunak said: “We are a world leader when it comes to climate, that's what the statistics show. We have reduced this country's carbon emissions faster than any other major economy.
“Our targets for the next few years are also more ambitious than any other major economy and so I thought the right thing to do would be to ensure we get to net zero in a pragmatic and proportionate way that saves working families thousands of pounds.< /p>
“I am not indebted to ideological fanatics on this topic. Of course we're going to get to net zero, of course that's important, but we can do it in a smart way that saves people money and doesn't burden them with additional costs.”
Asked whether Mr Sunak felt “ambitious” about Cop28, his spokesman said: “I think he clearly sees the challenges on a global scale that we still face in the area of climate change.”
“I think we are clear that other countries still have more to do to match our level of ambition. I think we have seen significant improvements, but there are some countries that need further support. It is clear that at this stage we need action, not commitment.
“All countries – including China, which is vital – must take action. We need to see not just commitment but real demonstration of action, as we have already done, to ensure progress continues.”
Thousands of delegates arrived in Dubai on Thursday for the start of the global summit as the World Meteorological Organization warned that the world is on track for its hottest year on record.
CoP conferences bring together negotiators from 197 countries. negotiate new agreements to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees.
Measures announced by Mr Sunak as part of an update to his net zero emissions policy in September included delaying a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035 and delaying a ban on new oil boilers from 2026 to 2035 year.
On Thursday he said he was “proud” of the approach he had taken, which had caused a split in the Tory ranks between backbenchers who expressed relief at the reduced financial burden on voters and more centrist MPs who feared it would harm the UK. international authority.
In a separate statement on the eve of his speech, he invited other countries to follow his approach. He called for an “era of action” to tackle climate change, before adding: “The transition to net zero must make us all safer and richer. This should benefit and not burden ordinary families.”
Ahead of Mr Sunak's arrival at the summit, No 10 announced £1.6bn in government funding for international projects aimed at stopping deforestation and accelerating the transition to renewable energy.
The £1.6 billion pledged by Downing Street to international climate projects on Thursday is part of a wider commitment of £11.6 billion in international climate finance over five years.
Up to £60 million will be spent on “loss and damage” funds, which provide climate change compensation to developing countries hit hard by climate-related disasters. In total, just over half of the £1.6 billion confirmed by Number 10 is new money.
The fund was agreed on the first day of the conference with $100 million pledged by the UAE, a win for the host nation , after years of pressure from developing countries.
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