UKPOL.CO.UK

Category: Environment

  • Boris Johnson – 2021 Speech to the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate

    Boris Johnson – 2021 Speech to the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate

    The speech made by Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, on 17 September 2021.

    Thank you very much John, Secretary Kerry, and Secretary General Guterres, and thank you President Biden for your leadership and convening us all today with a little more than 1,000 hours to go, my friends, until I welcome you all to Glasgow to the COP26 summit.

    And as we just heard from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this is the most important period I think now in the history of the planet.

    Because COP simply must succeed.

    And that is only going to happen if, as we’ve heard from António, if people come to Glasgow armed with the commitments that will enable us to keep that increase of 1.5c within reach and take us to net zero sooner rather than later, and hopefully by the middle of the century. And we also need the cash that will allow the developing world to do the same.

    So President Biden makes a very good point when he talks about the action that we need to take on methane

    and I’m very pleased to say the UK will be among the very first to sign the Methane Pledge.

    Because it is a microcosm of the challenges we face.

    The International Energy Agency reckons the world already possesses the know-how and technology to avoid as much as three quarters of the current emissions of methane, that’s CH4, produced by the oil and gas industry.

    Over the last 30 years the UK has cut emissions of methane by something like 60 per cent.

    And there are good commercial uses for methane, you can use it to make fabrics, you can use it to make anti-freeze.

    So the world could slash its output of this powerful greenhouse gas tomorrow if we wanted to.

    But the trouble is that the G20 currently lacks both the ambition needed do so, and the offer of finance to developing nations that’s needed to follow suit.

    That, in a nutshell, is what we face with the whole climate conundrum.

    We know what’s going to happen if we fail to reach net zero. You heard Joe describe the consequences we’re already seeing on our planet today.

    We know how to fix it, we know how to get there, and we’re continuously generating ever-more innovative ways of doing that.

    From the biggest carbon capture facility opening this week in Iceland, to the Californian scientists feeding seaweed to cows so they belch less methane – that’s the cows obviously, not the scientists.

    And now what we need is the ambition and dedication required to bring it all together.

    So over the next 1,000 hours between now and everyone coming to COP26, we must do the work that will allow us to come to Glasgow bearing the ambitious NDCs – Nationally Determined Contributions – and rock-solid commitments on coal, cars and trees.

    And, as Joe has just said, we must get serious about filling the $100 billion pot that the developing world needs in order to do its bit.

    Because as Sheikh Hasina has pointed out, the developing nations are on the front line of climate change, they don’t lack the will, they don’t lack the technologies, to make a difference, they simply lack the resources.

    We in the G20 are blessed with both.

    So let’s show the leadership the world needs, let’s do our duty by others who are less fortunate than ourselves, and let’s use these 1,000 hours to set a course that will protect our planet, protect humanity, for a thousand years to come.

  • George Eustice – 2021 Comments on the Seafood Fund

    George Eustice – 2021 Comments on the Seafood Fund

    The comments made by George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, on 11 September 2021.

    Over the last nine months, we have taken some important steps in the right direction for our fishing industry.

    We’ve taken our independent seat at the Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, we have agreed a quota exchange mechanism, and we have seen an uplift in quota for UK vessels.

    Now, this major investment will benefit coastal communities up and down the UK. The first investment from our £100M Seafood Fund will boost science and innovation in the fishing industry and, coupled with our Fisheries Act, help us ensure that we have the most sustainable fleet in the world.

  • George Eustice – 2021 Comments about Environment Bill

    George Eustice – 2021 Comments about Environment Bill

    The comments made by George Eustice, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on 27 August 2021.

    The Environment Bill is at the vanguard of our work to implement the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on earth.

    We have been clear about the need, and our intention, to halt the decline of our natural environment, and so we are strengthening our world-leading target to put this beyond doubt. It will be a challenging task, but halting this decline is a crucial part of our commitment to be the first generation to leave our environment in a better state.

    Our new package of measures on storm overflows will help crack down on the pollution in our rivers, waterways and coastlines, to better tackle the harm that they cause.

  • Lisa Nandy – 2021 Comments Ahead of G7 Meeting

    Lisa Nandy – 2021 Comments Ahead of G7 Meeting

    The comments made by Lisa Nandy, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, on 23 August 2021.

    This virtual G7 meeting is a make or break test of the Prime Minister’s ability to bring together international partners, rise to the occasion and show leadership.

    The UK must step up and demand three crucial outcomes. First, that as many people as possible have safe passage out of Afghanistan by prioritising efforts to extend the air bridge out of Kabul beyond 31st August. Second, global agreement to deal with the unfolding refugee crisis by working with neighbouring countries to keep land borders open. And third, a strategy for supporting those who will be left behind.

    The G7 must agree a joint strategy to safeguard our collective security and guarantee Afghanistan does not become a safe haven for terrorist organisations that pose a threat to the UK.

    The Prime Minister has had eighteen months to plan for this – the world’s eyes are on tomorrow’s meeting to make the next seven days count.

  • Caroline Dinenage – 2021 Speech on the Climate Crisis

    Caroline Dinenage – 2021 Speech on the Climate Crisis

    The speech made by Caroline Dinenage, the Minister for Digital and Culture, on 30 July 2021.

    Thank you. It is a pleasure to be here with you all today, in the splendid baroque setting of the Palazzo Barberini. During my stay I have been fortunate enough to visit some of Rome’s finest architectural gems, from the Vatican Library to the Colosseum. These iconic buildings are testament to human ingenuity, creativity and imagination, all of which contribute to Italy’s rich cultural heritage.

    And it’s our shared need for ingenuity, creativity and imagination that I’m going to speak about today. The global climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges we currently face. Across the world, people, places and objects are being displaced, damaged and destroyed due to the catastrophic effects of climate change. Unless we act swiftly, the losses to our global community will be unimaginable and irreplaceable.

    If we want to halt this trajectory, we need to work together to implement our most innovative ideas and approaches to address these climate challenges;

    We recognise the role that we, as G20 members collectively, and individually as Ministers, have, to use our voices and our influence, to champion the role of culture in driving forward climate actions.

    I congratulate the G20 presidency for the tireless efforts to shape such a strong and compelling Ministerial Culture Declaration, emphasising how intertwined the culture and climate agendas are. And, for effectively reinforcing these messages at the highest level, so consistently, across all G20 tracks.

    Addressing challenges relating to climate change is at the heart of the UK government’s agenda. Climate and culture are inextricably linked and the UK is working to safeguard cultural heritage at risk, while advancing innovative, culture-based solutions to the climate crisis, in the UK, and in our international programmes.

    We firmly believe that culture-based solutions can help us adapt to current climate challenges, and mitigate future crises. We feel that any solutions or approaches must also be based on inclusivity: culture-based climate action must be sustainable and push us all to take concrete steps to embed climate change in the culture sector, and to embed culture in climate policy.

    But despite our fruitful discussions throughout this G20 track, we feel that the role of culture as a means through which to address these challenges can oftentimes be sidelined outside our own sectors.

    We, along with you all, I am sure, are eager to ensure that this does not happen, and maintain the remarkable momentum generated here at the G20 Culture Ministerial to ensure that the role of culture in addressing climate challenges achieves the recognition that it deserves.

    And the UK has committed to this in our Adaptation Communication, which was presented by our Prime Minister at the Paris Climate Summit last December. We unequivocally championed the role that cultural heritage has to play in addressing the climate crisis and I strongly encourage you all to use your adaptation communications to do the same.

    For me, the key part of what was included, and forgive me for a direct quote, was that:

    protecting cultural heritage has an irreplaceable role in preserving the long-standing spirit and individual identities of communities. In the face of our changing climate, it is imperative to build resilience of historic settlements, cities and villages and intangible culture, to enhance wellbeing, stability, security and prosperity.

    We will harness the recognised global consensus on the importance of this issue that has crystallised here, at the G20 Culture track, where cultural heritage, indigenous knowledge, adaptation and resilience are recognised as key tools through which to address the grand challenges associated with climate change.

    And we will use our platform at COP26 to focus this ambition. As Co-Presidents of COP26 with Italy, we want to underscore the commitment of our respective Governments to the role of cultural heritage within adaptation and resilience strategies and encourage the widening out of the gains made as a result of the G20 into our collective COP26 ambition and leadership.

    I firmly believe culture has a key role to play in our efforts to address the climate crisis. Cultural heritage is fundamental to what makes us all human; a threat to heritage is a threat to our shared humanity.

    l look forward to continuing to work with you as fellow G20 members, on addressing this great challenge of our time, and as we collectively work towards the opportunity of COP26. Thank you.

  • Kemi Badenoch – 2021 Comments on Net Zero

    Kemi Badenoch – 2021 Comments on Net Zero

    The comments made by Kemi Badenoch, the Treasury Minister, on 4 August 2021.

    I was delighted to visit Severn Trent and see the innovation to stop pollution and deliver Net Zero is already taking place.

    They are also leading the way out of the pandemic by delivering their Green Recovery programme which supports their ambitious net zero plan by 2030 and creates new jobs and world-class training via the government’s Kickstart scheme.

  • Alok Sharma – 2021 Speech on Functioning Voluntary Carbon Markets

    Alok Sharma – 2021 Speech on Functioning Voluntary Carbon Markets

    The speech made by Alok Sharma, the COP26 President, on 29 July 2021.

    Friends, the clock is ticking down on the climate crisis.

    We are running out of time to protect our precious planet from its worst effects, and to keep the goals of the Paris Agreement within reach.

    To keep 1.5 degrees alive, as the UK COP26 Presidency is determined to do, we must halve global emissions by 2030.

    And that means everyone playing their part – governments, investors, civil society and business.

    Alongside companies setting science-based targets to cut emissions to net zero, and building resilience, voluntary carbon markets can play a vital role, enabling us to do more.

    A voluntary carbon market with integrity can incentivise emissions reductions, and it can encourage technology innovation, and promote reforestation.

    And it can raise finance, fast, getting funds to emerging markets and to nature-based solutions, including forest protection.

    This of course is invaluable.

    Because without finance, the task ahead is near impossible.

    But integrity is the watch word.

    With less than a decade to keep 1.5 alive, there is simply no room for greenwashing.

    The era of carbon offsetting delaying meaningful climate action is over.

    We need transparent, reliable markets playing a role in robust emissions reduction strategies, supporting companies to deliver, providing confidence to consumers and investors, and keeping 1.5 degrees alive.

    That is why the work of the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative, working alongside private sector initiatives, is so important.

    And why the UK Government is proud to support it.

    But it will only succeed with your help.

    So I urge all governments, businesses, civil society organisations and Indigenous Peoples listening to engage as fully as possible with the VCMI’s work.

    Help to establish the principles necessary for transparent, functioning voluntary carbon markets, for it to be presented at COP26.

    Together, let’s build our resilience, drive down global emissions, and keep 1.5 degrees alive.

  • Luke Pollard – 2021 Comments on the Climate Crisis

    Luke Pollard – 2021 Comments on the Climate Crisis

    The comments made by Luke Pollard, the Shadow Environment Secretary, on 29 July 2021.

    The severe impacts of the climate crisis are happening here and now, putting people, nature, and our economy at risk. But the Tories are failing to meet their emissions reduction targets.

    Re-announcing inadequate plans can’t hide the Government’s woeful failure to protect communities and businesses. We need urgent action to reverse this climate and ecological emergency.

    Labour would replace the Government’s piecemeal approach with a comprehensive Green Recovery to decarbonise and transform our economy.

  • Sadiq Khan – 2021 Comments in Response to London Floodings

    Sadiq Khan – 2021 Comments in Response to London Floodings

    The comments made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 27 July 2021.

    The serious flash flooding in London over the last two weekends will have caused major concern and anxiety for many Londoners and it shows that the dangers of climate change are now moving closer to home. I’d like to thank partners including the London Fire Brigade, the Met Police and local councils who responded to hundreds of calls throughout Sunday afternoon and evening.

    Despite having limited powers in the area, it remains a key priority for myself and London’s council leaders that more is done to urgently tackle flooding and the other impacts of climate change. This is why I have brought together all of the key partners to see what more can be done, including the water companies who have to address the localised issues with infrastructure that may exacerbate the impact of flooding.

    I continue to lobby the Government to devolve more funding and powers to local leaders to enable us deal with both flooding and the wider impacts of climate change.

    COP26 this year provides an opportunity for the Government to show global leadership and give us the powers and resources we need to take even bolder action on climate change.

  • Alok Sharma – 2021 Update on the COP26

    Alok Sharma – 2021 Update on the COP26

    The comments made by Alok Sharma, the COP26 President, on 26 July 2021.

    Over the past two days, Ministers from more than 50 countries have gathered in London, as well as online.

    We have discussed the critical issues in the COP26 negotiations.

    As we have done so, heavy rains and flash floods have swept London.

    A sobering reminder of the urgency of our task.

    This was the first face-to-face meeting of this kind involving Ministers for more than eighteen months.

    It was a hugely refreshing experience, to be sitting across the table from one another.

    In person, there was a very positive atmosphere in every session.

    There was a sense of common endeavour and a shared desire to address the climate crisis before us.

    It was wonderful to see colleagues renew existing relationships, and build new ones.

    To sit around the table and have a discussion.

    And we all heard, loud and clear, the message from Ministers from climate vulnerable countries on the need for renewed urgency to tackle the climate crisis. And their lived experience of extreme climate change.

    We made progress over these two days. And there was a clear spirit of cooperation.

    However, the issues we have discussed are complex.

    There are still significant differences that persist.

    We have moved closer together. But still, on these vital issues we are not yet close enough.

    There is much more work to be done ahead of COP26 and in Glasgow itself.

    And we have agreed ways to keep the conversations going and drive action forward in the 97 days that remain to COP26.

    Over the past two days, we have reached a common understanding that COP26 needs to keep 1.5C within reach.

    This was also agreed by the G20 agreed to do last week.

    There was also a shared understanding from many that coal power and financing are not compatible with a 1.5 degree future.

    And so the UK Presidency will take forward work on how the Glasgow outcome will respond to any gap in ambition to keep 1.5C within reach.

    On adaptation, and adaptation finance particularly, we agreed we need a clear way forward

    And together, we have emphasised the need for COP26 to accelerate progress on the Global Goal on Adaptation.

    On finance, I have recently called for developed countries to publish a clear plan for how, together, we are going to deliver the $100 billion a year in international climate finance, which has been promised since 2009, between 2020 and 2025.

    I am delighted that Minister Flasbarth of Germany and Minister Wilkinson of Canada have agreed to lead this process. This will bring much needed transparency and predictability to developing countries and also reinforce the trust that needs to be maintained.

    On Article 6, I am grateful that Minister Fu of Singapore and Minister Rotevatn of Norway have agreed to continue their informal ministerial consultations.

    Additionally, Minister Mujawamariya of Rwanda, and Minister Sommaruga of Switzerland, will take forward my invitation to consult with ministers on Common Time Frames for NDCs.

    We will be initiating other ministerial consultations, including on transparency at the appropriate time, in the coming weeks.

    Of course our experts and negotiators will also continue their discussions.

    I hope that all this work will allow us to arrive in Glasgow in the best possible position to reach agreement.

    It is incumbent on every country to give their all to this process.

    There will be nowhere to hide at COP.

    Each of us will be in the spotlight.

    And we will only deliver by working together.

    I have said all along how important it is to have real in-person discussions on these difficult issues.

    We have gone to great lengths to make this Ministerial meeting happen and I’m grateful to everyone who joined us here and online.

    Now we must deliver.

    It is essential that, six years on from Paris, we agree these final elements of the Rulebook, that we forge a way forward on finance, adaptation and other critical issues.

    Ultimately, our response must reflect the urgency of the crisis we face.

    Between now and COP, we must, and we will, make every single day count.