Tag: Cabinet Office

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 4 December 2022.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 28 November 2022.

Op-ed from Minister Neville-Rolfe, originally published in The Times on Monday 28 November.

Before entering politics, I had a front-row seat in the world of business in an FTSE 100 boardroom as an executive and main board director at Tesco — a high street name, one of Britain’s ’s biggest companies and an employer of thousands that every day relied on the work and products of smaller businesses in its supply chains. I also have worked at much smaller companies, including Dobbies, Red Tractor and Crown Agents. So I know, very well, the challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises and the opportunities that we can unlock in government by making the right changes. And now that I’m in government, I’m in the right place to make it happen.

Complex procurement regulations, for example, have long been the bane of small companies. The government, likewise, wants to make it easier for such businesses to work with the public sector by ripping up unnecessary rules.

This week, as the Procurement Bill goes into its report stage in the House of Lords, I intend to make real progress. The bill will slash through red tape, replacing 350 European Union regulations with one simple and flexible framework for the five million UK SMEs that could compete for public sector contracts. It also will tackle late payment in the supply chain.

In the past year, SMEs have won a record £19.3 billion in government procurement spending. It is great to see the graph heading in the right direction, but we all want to see a steeper line.

With the overall procurement pie worth £300 billion, I know from hosting many round tables and from speaking to entrepreneurs and business people that the bill can do more to help SMEs across the country to get a bigger slice. From those conversations, I believe we should use the bill to strengthen three areas.

First, to put contracting authorities in the frame for reducing the challenges for small businesses. Procurement teams will have to make sure there are no unnecessary barriers that might hinder smaller companies in the contract; that bidding timelines are realistic; and that there is a clear timeline so that SMEs can plan accordingly.

Second: accounting. Another burden on smaller suppliers is having to provide audited accounts as a test of their financial standing. We will require contracting authorities to accept alternative evidence where audited accounts are unavailable: this will prevent some businesses being excluded from bidding.

And finally: insurance. A part of the procurement process unfairly penalises businesses that lack the war chests of big corporations. We will make it explicitly clear that contracting authorities must accept evidence that required insurance cover will be in place when a contract is awarded, rather than at the point of bidding. This will save SMEs from having to incur unnecessary upfront costs, a burden they shoulder at present.

With an estimated turnover of £2.1 trillion, SMEs make up 99 per cent of UK businesses and I am delighted to be playing my part in taking full advantage of our restored powers and sovereignty to help our domestic businesses to grow.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 25 November 2022.

A summary of the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Event at COP27.

Summary

• The Forests and Climate Leaders’ Partnership was launched on behalf of a group of ambitious countries to drive delivery of the 2030 target to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030.
• 16 governments made statements on how they will work towards the 2030 goal. These included Colombia’s announcement of USD $200 million annually for the next two decades to save the Amazon, Kenya’s plans to restore 10.5 million hectares of degraded forests and rangelands, Ecuador’s plans to increase forested land by 1.4 million hectares by the end of 2023 and Germany’s increase of international climate finance for forests by €1 billion EUR.
• Leaders demonstrated transparency to prior public finance commitments. The Global Forest Finance Pledge released a report outlining that USD $2.67 billion was contributed to forest-related programmes in developing countries in 2021, 22% of the 5-year commitment made at COP26.
• Private sector leaders including SouthBridge Investments, &Green and Volkswagen made commitments to ensure their operations align with the 2030 goal to halt and reverse forest loss.

At COP26, over 140 world leaders committed to “halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030 while delivering sustainable development and promoting an inclusive rural transformation” in the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use (GLD). This was backed by a financial package of $19.2 billion from public donors, philanthropy and private investors.

Demonstrating delivery on these commitments is crucial to meet the 2030 GLD ambition. At COP27, leaders from governments, companies, the finance sector, and Indigenous Peoples came together at the Forests and Climate Leaders’ Summit to focus on delivery, to share best practice and scale action aligned with the GLD. Headline announcements included:

Political Leadership

The Forests and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP) was launched at the Summit on behalf of 26 Governments and the European Commission who together represent a third of the world’s forests and nearly 60% of the world’s GDP. These leaders are committed to maintaining political focus on the objectives of the GLD, to inspiring and fostering ambition and positive action through providing annual high-level political platforms, to being accountable for delivery of pledges made, and to supporting each other and scaling action through collective initiatives. The FCLP will provide a space for governments to innovate, and problem solve together to drive progress towards the 2030 target, and to take stock of current progress. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry announced that the FCLP will initially be co-chaired by the United States of America and Ghana.

The Summit afforded the opportunity for government, business, civil society and Indigenous community leaders to set out how they are turning the GLD into practical action. This included 14 heads of state or government who spoke and a further 3 heads of delegation who represented their respective governments. For example, President Akufo-Addo of Ghana shared that Ghana’s Cocoa Forest Programme recorded its first emissions reductions which account for 972,456 tonnes of C02 equivalent and generated a result-based carbon payment of USD $4.8 million, and Ecuador announced that it will increase forested land by 1.4 million hectares by the end of 2023.

Public Finance

Delivery and Scaling

At COP26,12 governments collectively committed USD $12 billion for international forests over 5 years through the Global Forest Finance Pledge. At the Summit, those governments collectively reported on progress (pdf, 287 KB). In calendar year 2021, USD $2.67 billion was contributed to forest-related programmes in developing countries. This equates to 22% of the original pledge and means that donors are on track to deliver by 2025. For example, the UK Prime Minister announced £65 million for the Climate Investment Fund’s “Nature, People and Climate” Programme (NPC). This funding will help to protect forests while supporting the livelihoods of the people who depend on them.

In addition, governments demonstrated that public finance will be scaled to meet the 2030 target. Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro announced USD $200 million annually for the next two decades to save the Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest. Chancellor Scholz also announced that Germany will double its international climate finance for forests from €1 billion EUR to €2 billion EUR through to 2025.

The Congo Basin

The Congo Basin is the second largest rainforest in the world and is crucial for the supply of rainfall to the African continent. Heads of State from the Congo Basin addressed the Summit and emphasised their national ambition, their record of delivery and the need for greater support for the region, including:

• President Ali Bongo reiterated Gabon’s intent to trade REDD+ credits as a means of increasing the value derived from their forests which cover 88% of the country.
• President Sassou highlighted that the Republic of Congo has created 45,000 hectares of forest since 1970 and is aiming to create 1 million hectares of forest cover through its national programme of reforestation but needs international support to meet these commitments.
• Prime Minister Lukonde highlighted the importance of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s’ forests and peatlands to global carbon sequestration efforts.

At COP26, governments and philanthropy collectively pledged USD $1.5 billion to the Congo Basin over 5 years. At the Summit, they reported (pdf, 889 KB) that they had provided USD $508 million support for forests and people in the Congo Basin. The UK Prime Minister also announced delivery of support for forests through development of a new £90 million programme in the Congo Basin.

In addition, Chancellor Scholz of Germany announced that the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) is seeking to mobilise private finance at scale through funding the design of a series of Forest Performance Bonds in Central Africa with the potential to secure co-investment from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) amongst others. The bond would invest in forest positive businesses across the region.

Finally, the &Green fund announced that they are committing up to USD $10.6 million in addition to USD $32 million of CAFI funding to invest in sustainable agriculture in the Congo Basin.

Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities

At COP26, governments and philanthropies committed USD $1.7 billion through the Indigenous People and Local Communities Forest Tenure Pledge. At the Summit, the Prime Minister of Norway reported that USD $321 million of finance had been disbursed by donors in 2021 before leading a minute’s silence to pay respect to environmental defenders that had sacrificed their lives in order to protect us all. Representatives from the Global Alliance for Territorial Communities – Marleine Nguie and Levi Sucre – called for the importance of indigenous peoples to be reflected by increased action on the ground.

Restoration in Africa

At the One Planet Summit in April 2021, financial institutions committed USD $19.6 billion to restore degraded land and forests in Africa, primarily through the Great Green Wall (GGW) initiative. Alongside AFR100, the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative, GGW initiative is driving investment to restore over 100 million hectares of degraded in land in Africa by 2030. The conservation, management and restoration of land at this scale has the potential to sequester 3 GtCO2 equivalent.

At the Summit, President Macron of France chaired a session on restoration in Africa, he announced that USD $2.57 billion of this commitment was spent in 2021, whilst President von der Leyen reported that the European Commission is on track to overdeliver on its promise to spend EUR 700 million to fund the Great Green Wall.

President Suluhu of Tanzania outlined plans to plant 2 million trees every three years and called for assistance to ensure that Tanzania can benefit from carbon credits, whilst President Macky Sall of Senegal called on countries to help increase in-country capacity to grow trees and implement agroforestry practices.

President Ruto announced Kenya’s tree growing programme will restore 10.5 million hectares of degraded forest and rangelands. The programme will grow 5 billion trees in the next 5 years and an additional 10 billion trees in the 5 years thereafter, generating 200,000 jobs in the process.

The President of the African Development Bank (AFDB) Dr Akinwumi Adesina, the appointed champion of the Great Green Wall, outlined plans for a USD $20 billion investment in solar technology that will provide Great Green Wall communities with access to electricity and reduce their access on wood for fuel. He called on leaders to offer their support to the Climate Action Window, the concessional arm of the AFDB with an aim of raising USD $13 billion to restore land, deliver climate resilient technologies and secure access to water.

Dr Frannie Léautier, CEO of Southbridge Investments, announced the development of a major new partnership, The African Forest Funds, with AFR100 and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). This fund will blend USD $500 million of concessional finance with USD $1.5 billion in private investment to support local restoration efforts across the continent.

As part of its USD $2 billion commitment to landscape restoration and improving food systems made at COP26, the Bezos Earth Fund announced USD $50 million for locally led restoration aligned with AFR100. This new commitment will help restore parts of the Congo Basin and Great Rift Valley.

Accelerating Private Finance for Forests

Progress on COP26 commitments

The Summit held a session on accelerating private finance for forests. Leaders announced progress on delivering against private finance commitments made at COP26:

• The Lowering Emissions by Accelerating Forest Finance (LEAF) Coalition announced that it has increased the total amount of finance for the purchase of high-integrity emissions reductions credits to over USD $1.5 billion, of which USD $500 million is new and additional. This represents a 100% increase in financial commitments from the private sector since COP26 with Volkswagen Group and H&M Group the latest to make commitments.
• Na Kyung-Won, Special Envoy for Climate for the Republic of Korea announced that Korea will join the LEAF Coalition and outlined its critical role in mobilising forest finance globally. In addition, Minister Manrique announced that Ecuador had become the first forest nation to sign a LEAF memorandum of agreement, which sets out next steps and a clear roadmap for the signing of a binding Emissions Reduction Purchase Agreements by April 2023.
• The Innovative Finance for the Amazon, Cerrado and Chaco (IFACC) commitments have risen from USD $3 billion to USD $4.2 billion, an increase of $1.2 billion, and the initiative now comprises 13 financial institutions and agribusiness companies.
• The Forest Investor Club, announced at COP26 by the United States Department of State’s Office of Global Change has selected the World Business Council for Sustainable Development to play a leading role in the coordination and engagement of members. It will annually disclose progress being made to catalyse investments in forests and nature.
• The Natural Capital Investment Alliance has continued to target a mobilisation of USD $10 billion towards natural capital themes, with over USD $1.1 billion committed and a further USD $6.2 billion raising funds to deploy.

New Commitments of Non-Government Financial Support

At COP26, USD $7.2 billion of private sector funding was pledged for forest protection and restoration. At the Summit, private sector leaders reported that[1]:

• FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank is committing to build a forestry portfolio to at least EUR €500 million with the ambition to increase it to EUR €1 billion by 2030.
• The establishment of a new collaboration of philanthropic donors, Forests, People, Climate (FPC), was announced. Its aim is to mobilise and deploy significantly increased philanthropic funding in support of the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration goal. At the Summit, USD $400 million over five years in new philanthropic funding was committed to the FPC with a goal of raising another USD $1.2 billion over the next five years. These new commitments go beyond the USD $380 million over five years that the thirteen donors currently involved in the collaboration already planned to spend toward the FPC goal.

Systemic Shifts

To support delivery of the long-term systemic shifts required to ensure that all public and private financial flows are aligned to support delivery of the 2030 goal, central banks and ministers of finance highlighted work being undertaken to further understand the significance of nature-loss as part of their wider work to manage the systemic risk of climate change. Central Bank Governors from Chile, Malaysia and Zambia spoke to how they are taking vital steps to better understand nature-related climate risks, ensuring that the protection and restoration of critical ecosystems are properly accounted for in ensuring financial stability and contributing to economic prosperity. Meanwhile Prime Minister Marin of Finland reflected on the work of the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate in this space, and how it is designed to both manage the economic and financial risks of nature loss and to unlock opportunities for investment.

Mark Carney recalled a Statement on Deforestation Financing from the Co-Chairs and Vice Chair of Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) which urged members of the alliance with USD $135 trillion in assets under management, to embed tackling deforestation into their transition planning by developing policies to identify and curtail financing of such activities, and to scale forest positive investment.

Leading financial institutions from Japan to Norway to Brazil are demonstrating that it is possible to do this. Signatories of the Commitment on Eliminating Commodity-driven Deforestation have been moving forward with implementation as the Finance Sector Deforestation Action (FSDA) initiative. FSDA members have published shared investor expectations (pdf, 49.5 KB) for companies, are stepping up engagement activity and working with policymakers and data providers. New members joining FSDA in 2022 include SouthBridge Group whose CEO, Frannie Léautier, announced that they were the first African financial institution to join the initiative alongside Banco Estado de Chile, London CIV and GAM Investments.

Governments participating in the Forest, Agriculture and Commodity Trade (FACT) Dialogue, represent over 75% of global trade in key commodities that can threaten forests. The FACT Dialogue Progress Report is a renewal of the commitment of these largest producer and consumer countries to working together to achieve shared goals and promote sustainable development and trader, while protecting forests and other critical ecosystems.

14 of the largest agricultural commodity trading companies managing major global shares on key forest-risk commodities, shared their joint roadmap for increased supply chain action across the palm oil, soy and cattle sectors.

List of members of the Forest and Climate Leader’s Partnership

1. Commonwealth of Australia
2. Canada
3. Republic of Colombia
4. Republic of Congo
5. Republic of Costa Rica
6. Republic of Ecuador
7. European Union
8. Republic of Finland
9. Republic of Fiji
10. French Republic
11. Gabon
12. Federal Republic of Germany
13. Republic of Ghana
14. Republic of Guyana
15. Republic of Indonesia (is especially considering joining the FCLP[2])
16. Japan
17. Republic of Kenya
18. Republic of Korea
19. Kingdom of the Netherlands
20. Federal Republic of Nigeria
21. Kingdom of Norway
22. Islamic Republic of Pakistan
23. Republic of Singapore
24. Kingdom of Sweden
25. United Republic of Tanzania
26. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
27. United States of America
28. Vietnam

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[1] NB other new commitments made at the event layered throughout this summary including &Green, SouthBridge Investments, New Joiners to LEAF.

[2] Indonesia is especially considering joining the FCLP and to serve on the Steering Committee. This builds upon the strong platform established by separate MoUs and bilateral climate partnerships between Indonesia and the USA, Norway and UK to support Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 Operational Plan.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 21 November 2022.

• Prime Minister announces new medal to honour the service of veterans of Britain’s nuclear tests on ‘plutonium anniversary’
• 22,000 veterans are expected to be eligible for the new honour, marking their service and contribution to the United Kingdom’s nuclear test programme.
• Comes as veterans and their families gather at the National Memorial Arboretum today to pay tribute to nuclear heroes, who have kept the country safe for 70 years

A new medal is to honour the significant contribution of veterans and civilian staff from across the Commonwealth, who participated in Britain’s nuclear testing programme, the Prime Minister will announce today.

The award comes as the country pays tribute to the veterans of the United Kingdom’s nuclear test programme at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire this morning.

The event, which takes place 70 years after the first British test of a nuclear weapon, will be attended by the Prime Minister, the Defence Secretary and Veterans’ Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer.

Service personnel, veterans and their families, and representatives from military charities will also attend.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

I am incredibly proud that we are able to mark the service and dedication of our nuclear test veterans with this new medal. Their commitment and service has preserved peace for the past 70 years, and it is only right their contribution to our safety, freedom and way of life is appropriately recognised with this honour.

This medal is an enduring symbol of our country’s gratitude to each and every person who played a part in this effort and their loved ones who supported them.

The veterans and civilians who participated in the United Kingdom’s nuclear test programme, the first of which was known as Op Hurricane, made the UK the third nuclear power. This work contributed to achieving the nuclear deterrent – the ultimate guarantee of UK sovereignty which continues to keep us safe today, and helps guarantee international security.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer said:

This medal honours those who served far from home, at a crucial time in our nation’s history.

To this day the nuclear deterrent remains the cornerstone of our defence, and that is only because of the service and contribution of the brilliant veterans and civilian personnel.

It’s right that we mark this contribution today, 70 years on from Britain’s first nuclear test.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

I am delighted that a commemorative medal can be given to our Nuclear Test Veterans, who have made an invaluable contribution to the safety and security of the UK, and who we recognise and value for their enduring service to our nation.

The Nuclear Test Medal will be a commemorative medal that can be worn by recipients.

The medal also recognises the contribution made by veterans and civilians from across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Kiribati. All service personnel and civilians under UK command, including close partners from the Commonwealth and Pacific region, who participated in, or were present at, the British or American nuclear tests at the Montebello Islands, Christmas Island, Malden Island and Maralinga & Emu Field, South Australia between 1952 and 1967 will be eligible for the medal. This also includes scientists and local employees..

It is estimated that around 22,000 veterans will be eligible for medallic recognition.

The medal can be awarded posthumously. Veterans, their families and next of kin will need to apply for the medal, which will be free of charge. It is expected that the first awards of the medals will be made in 2023.

To further recognise the contribution of veterans of Britain’s nuclear tests, the government is investing £450,000 into projects which will commemorate and build further understanding of the experiences of veterans who were deployed to Australia and the Pacific.

As part of that funding, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs is launching an oral history project to chronicle the voices and experiences of those who supported the UK’s effort to develop a nuclear deterrent.

Due to start in April 2023 the project will run for two years, giving nuclear test veterans the opportunity to be interviewed, and contribute to an accessible digital archive of testimonies about their time working on the tests.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 15 November 2022.

• The new Indonesia Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) will mobilise $20 billion [£17bn] over the next three to five years to accelerate a just energy transition.
• The UK stands ready to support delivery of the partnership, including through a $1 billion World Bank guarantee. ¹
• The Indonesia JETP launch builds on momentum of other JETP progress during the COP27 Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak joined other world leaders at the G20 today [15 November] to launch the Indonesia Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) at the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) side event.

This country-led partnership will help Indonesia pursue an accelerated just energy transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewable sources. The JETP includes an ambitious pathway to reduce power sector emissions, a strategy based on the expansion of renewable energy, and the phase down of coal. This transition will not only deliver enhanced climate action, but will help support economic growth, new skilled jobs, reduced pollution, and a resilient, prosperous future for Indonesians.

The agreement focuses on achieving this transition in a way that considers all workers, communities and societal groups affected directly or indirectly by an energy transition away from coal, and helps to ensure that they are supported through concrete commitments.

The JETP model was pioneered at the COP26 Summit in Glasgow last year, where South Africa and an International Partners Group (IPG) of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the European Union announced a ground-breaking long-term $8.5bn JETP, setting a new precedent in the global just energy transition.

Indonesia is the second country to launch a JETP. Among the world’s ten largest greenhouse gas emitters, Indonesia is now accelerating its transition to clean energy through the JETP’s strengthened commitments to maximise the use of abundant renewable energy resources and a strong political commitment to phase down coal-fired power in the medium-term.

In support of these commitments and actions, the Indonesia JETP will mobilise $20 billion over the next three to five years. $10 billion of public money will be mobilised by the IPG members and at least $10bn of private finance will be mobilised and facilitated by the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) Working Group.

The United Kingdom has been an instrumental member of the IPG helping to agree this ambitious new JETP with Indonesia. The UK stands ready to support delivery of the partnership, including through a $1 billion World Bank guarantee. This facility will allow the Government of Indonesia to extend their borrowing on affordable World Bank terms by up to $1 billion.

The partnership will be a long-term political agreement between the Government of Indonesia and an IPG comprising the United States of America and Japan as joint leads, along with the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the European Union, Canada, Italy, Norway, and Denmark.

Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak said:

“I am proud to launch a new Just Energy Transition Partnership with the Government of Indonesia. This will unlock billions in private finance for new green infrastructure.”

COP26 President, Alok Sharma said:

“Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) are an innovative finance model that I am proud to say came out of COP26 and embody the ambition we called for in Glasgow. They provide a means for partner countries to work with climate finance donors and private sector investors on a clean, just energy transition to create new jobs, economic growth, clean air and a resilient, prosperous future.

“This country-led partnership will support Indonesia to accelerate its transition away from coal as part of the country’s commitment to its 2060 net zero target”.

The Indonesia JETP launch builds on the momentum from the COP27 Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, which saw progress on implementing the South Africa JETP and commitment to launch a JETP with Viet Nam this year ² . It demonstrates progress on the UK-launched G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII). JETPs are a core delivery mechanism of PGII, which aims to narrow the infrastructure investment gap in developing countries ³ .

Just ahead of COP27, South Africa released their Just Energy Transition Investment Plan which outlines clear pathways for implementation. At COP27, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met with the President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, along with the European Union, United States of America, Germany, and France to discuss the JETP. Following this key milestone, a 12 month update on progress in advancing the South Africa JETP was published which acknowledges the progress made and outlines the next steps in this long-term partnership.

At COP27, COP26 President Alok Sharma, met with Tran Hong Ha, Vietnam’s Minister for Natural Resources and Environment to discuss a potential JETP between the IPG and Vietnam. Minister Ha and Mr. Sharma recommitted to finalising the details of an ambitious political declaration and package of financial support for Viet Nam’s energy transition, with the intent to launch the agreement before the end of 2022.

Work also continues between the IPG and the Government of India towards concluding a partnership on just energy transition in 2023 during India’s G20 Presidency. The IPG is also working closely with the Government of Senegal to explore a way forward for a JETP. Further details will be shared in due course.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 10 November 2022.

The Cabinet Office has approved the appointment of Ms Philippa Hird as an interim member of the Senior Salaries Review Body, with immediate effect. The appointment is until 31 July 2023.

The Senior Salaries Review Body provides independent advice to the Prime Minister and senior ministers on the pay of many of the nation’s top public servants.

Philippa is an independent director with a particular interest in governance, people strategy, recruitment, remuneration and the delivery of complex change. She is currently Chair of the NHS Pay Review Body, Senior Independent Director and Remuneration Committee Chair of Ordnance Survey and a member of the Board of the University of Manchester. Philippa is a Non-Executive Director of UK Strategic Command, and an independent member of the Remunerations Committee of St Edmund’s College, Cambridge.

As Group Human Resources Director of ITV Plc until 2009, Philippa led the consolidation of the regional ITV companies. Prior to that she held general management and then HR roles in Granada Group Plc. She began her career in marketing with ICI and has an MA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from The Queen’s College Oxford.

Philippa has been a non-executive director of HMRC, Deputy Chair of City, University of London and of AQA, a Board member of Opportunity Now and of Creative Skillset and Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). She is a Companion of the CIPD and a fellow of the RSA.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 10 November 2022.

COP26 President Alok Sharma and Vietnam’s Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Ha met to discuss a potential Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) between the International Partners Group and Vietnam.

They welcomed the progress made towards the agreement of a JETP, noting that ongoing discussions had deepened our respective understanding of the challenges and opportunities of a low carbon transition in Vietnam and how we might work together to address these.

Minister Ha and COP26 President Sharma looked at the capacity for a JETP to reduce the planned coal pipeline in Vietnam and to bring forward the peaking date for power sector emissions, discussing the peak level of Vietnamese power sector emissions that such measures would imply.  This would be to deliver ambition that goes beyond Vietnam’s recently updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

They also noted the progress to mobilise a substantial package of financial support that could be used for a Resource Mobilisation Plan in the future, including the support from a group of private sector financial institutions convened by the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero – who have made clear their commitment to supporting the JETP.

Minister Ha and COP26 President Sharma recommitted to finalising the details of an ambitious political declaration and package of financial support for Vietnam’s energy transition, with the intent to launch the agreement before the end of 2022.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 9 November 2022.

Co-chaired by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden, and Chief Information Officer at Lloyds Banking Group, Sharon Barber, the Board, which met yesterday (Tuesday, 8 November), ensures that senior leaders from the private and third sectors challenge, support and inform the UK’s strategic approach to cyber.

This includes making the UK a more secure and resilient nation better prepared for evolving threats and risks and using cyber capabilities to protect the public against crime, fraud and hostile state threats.

The meeting comes in the wake of new official figures which reveal that in the 12 months to March 2022 there have been 2.7m cyber-related frauds to individuals and businesses. The UK is now the third most targeted nation for cyber attacks, behind the USA and Ukraine.

The Board champions a ‘whole of society’ approach to building the UK’s cyber future established as part of the UK’s National Cyber Strategy – which is backed by £2.6bn of funding and aims to make the UK a leading and democratic cyber power by 2030.

Chair of the Board and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden, said:

Protecting and promoting the UK’s interests in cyberspace cannot be achieved in isolation, it must be a shared endeavour between government and all parts of the economy and society. We have seen how cyber attacks are increasing, putting the UK and our businesses and services on the frontline of global threats.

That’s why this new National Cyber Advisory Board is so important, bringing leaders from across industry, the third sector and academia to share information and expertise on how to build and protect our digital economy and services.

Co-chair and Chief Information Officer at Lloyds Banking Group, Sharon Barber, commented:

The digital world is ever changing and businesses and the Government must continue to adapt, innovate and invest in order to protect ourselves, the public, and our data – that’s why we need everyone around the table through the Board working together to help keep individuals and businesses safe online.

Only if we ensure everyone plays their part in the UK’s cyber future will we prosper from the opportunities that the online world brings.

The new Board will work closely with the Government’s National Cyber Security Centre, which is already running campaigns and training for business, Government and consumers to build cyber resilience.

This month the NCSC and the City of London Police will be launching a new ‘Cyber Aware’ campaign to help people reduce the risk of cyber fraud in the run-up to Christmas by helping shoppers to reduce their vulnerability to fraud.

The National Cyber Advisory Board will meet every quarter, with the next meeting expected to take place in the first quarter of 2023.

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 7 November 2022.

• World Leaders from 26 countries and the EU will come together today to launch the Forests and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP) at the inaugural Forest and Climate Leaders’ Summit
• The Partnership will help to deliver the commitment made at COP26 by over 140 world leaders to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030 while delivering sustainable development and promoting an inclusive rural transformation.
• The new Partnership will unite action by government, business and community leaders, and shine a spotlight on global progress at COP27 and every year up to 2030.
• Leaders including President Macron of France, President Petro of Colombia and President Akufo-Addo of Ghana welcomed the creation of the partnership as a crucial delivery mechanism to deliver global forest and land use commitments
• The new Partnership will be co-chaired by the USA and Ghana, who will preside over the first Ministerial meeting of FCLP members on 12 November.

Today at the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Summit at COP27, 26 countries and the EU are announcing a commitment to join the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership to scale up action to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030 while delivering sustainable development and promoting an inclusive rural transformation.

These actions are fundamental to adapting to climate change and have the potential to deliver up to 30% of the emissions reductions needed to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, while securing global biodiversity, economic prosperity and food supplies.

The launch of the Forests and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP) follows from the package of announcements at COP26 in Glasgow last year, where over 140 world leaders, representing over 90% of the world’s forests, committed to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030 while delivering sustainable development and promoting an inclusive rural transformation.

The Partnership offers a way to enhance cooperation on delivery of these commitments, to scale ambition and to find innovative solutions to ongoing problems. By joining, countries are committing to lead by example in the implementation of their national goals and striving to be more ambitious over time. They are also committing to enhance collective efforts to maximise the contribution of forests and sustainable land use to global and national climate and biodiversity goals, and to meet annually to take stock of progress.

Every member is committing to play a leadership role to drive forward at least one of the FCLP’s action areas, which are:

• International collaboration on the sustainable land use economy;
• Mobilising public and donor finance to support implementation;
• Shifting the private finance system;
• Supporting Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ initiatives;
• Strengthening and scaling carbon markets for forests; and
• Partnerships and incentives for preserving high-integrity forests.

The launch brings together World Leaders from FCLP member countries including the leaders of the United States of America and Ghana, who will be the first co-chairs. Member countries represent the northern forests of Canada, the tropical and subtropical rainforests of the Amazon, Australasia, Africa and Asia, and the financial and economic centres of the world. Together, they will focus their combined weight on transformational areas of action.

Members will work closely with the private sector, civil society, international and multilateral organisations and community leaders to implement and rapidly scale up solutions on deforestation, forest degradation, reforestation and sustainable forest and land use management, that reflect each members’ national context and priorities as well as the urgency of the global climate and biodiversity crises.

At the inaugural meeting at COP27, member countries will take stock of progress since COP26 and discuss key insights, successes, challenges and priorities for future collaboration. The meeting will follow the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Summit at which members spoke alongside other countries and business and community leaders to highlight the most ambitious commitments and the strongest examples of progress since COP26.

List of members of the Forest and Climate Leader’s Partnership

1. Commonwealth of Australia
2. Canada
3. Republic of Colombia
4. Congo
5. Republic of Costa Rica
6. Republic of Ecuador
7. European Union
8. Republic of Finland
9. Republic of Fiji
10. Republic of France
11. Gabon
12. Federal Republic of Germany
13. Republic of Ghana
14. Republic of Guyana
15. Republic of Indonesia (is especially considering joining the FCLP)
16. Japan
17. Republic of Kenya
18. Republic of Korea
19. Kingdom of Netherlands
20. Federal Republic of Nigeria
21. Kingdom of Norway
22. Islamic Republic of Pakistan
23. Republic of Singapore
24. Kingdom of Sweden
25. United Republic of Tanzania
26. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
27. United States of America

Quotes

COP26 President Alok Sharma:

“I’m proud to launch the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership today. Forests are a precious resource that support sustainable livelihoods and act as the lungs of the world. At COP26 we saw incredible ambition with more than 140 countries committing to halt and reverse forest loss by 2030. This partnership is a critical next step to collectively deliver on this promise and help keep the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C alive.”

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana:

“Forest loss can be averted. There is, however, the need for a dedicated space, globally, to provide the needed support and accountability checks to countries that are committed to delivering the Glasgow Leaders Declaration. The Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership is a first and key step towards this goal, and Ghana supports and endorses fully the FCLP.”

President Mohamed Irfaan Ali of Guyana:

“Ambition to protect the world’s forests has never been in short supply in forest communities and countries. What has been missing is the means to realise that ambition. The Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership can rapidly change this situation – by bringing Heads of Government together to focus on practical solutions. Guyana will play its part in highlighting leadership from forest communities and countries. We will put forward solutions that we know can work because of our own experience. The world’s people do not need more talk, they need action that converts ambition into results, and I hope the FCLP will be the platform to achieve this.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada:

“There is no path to fighting climate change and building a healthy future that does not involve forests. At home, Canada is working in partnership with Indigenous communities, while taking historic steps like our commitment to plant 2 billion trees over the coming decade. To bring this work to the world stage, we are pleased to be joining the Forests and Climate Leaders’ Partnership. Together, we can maximize the role of forests in the fight against climate change and in our shared work to build a bright future.”

President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon:

“Gabon is proud to be part of the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership. As a climate pioneer, net absorbing over 100 million tons of CO2 every year into our forests, Gabon has already achieved and indeed exceeded the Paris objective of carbon neutrality. We have achieved this through development solutions that build a forest positive economy and provide employment, thereby giving our forests true value and ensuring that they remain standing. For these climate services to be maintained, we need to dramatically scale up action and investment, to deliver for people, for our climate and for our forests. The Partnership provides us with a forum to address these major challenges and enact real change before it is too late.”

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store of Norway:

“We will not reach the goals of the Paris Agreement without halting and reversing forest loss and land degradation by 2030. Achieving this will require unprecedented leadership and collaboration from governments, business, civil society and indigenous peoples. Norway joins the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership committed to work together with tropical forest countries and other like minded countries in pursuit of this goal.”

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on behalf of the European Union:

“Only with healthy forests we can deliver on our shared climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. And only with intact lively forests we can address biodiversity. We know that, yet the figures on global deforestation remain alarming. We need to act, and we need to act with urgency. This is not only important for the protection of nature, but also for the preservation of the economic livelihood of millions of people, which depends on the existence of sustainable and healthy forests. The EU is doing its share – and we are keen to work with partners worldwide to make sure we halt deforestation by 2030. I am confident the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership which the EU joins today will help us get there.”

Chancellor Scholz of Germany:

“Our joint global commitment to halt deforestation and restore forests needs to be translated into concrete and scaled action on the ground that will benefit people, biodiversity and the climate. Germany has joined the Forests and Climate Leaders’ Partnership today since we are convinced that it provides a strong forum for international collaboration to progress on this front. To underpin our commitment, Germany will support the establishment of the Partnership’s secretariat and intends to double its initial contribution to the Global Forest Finance Pledge to a total of 2 billion euros.”

President Macron of France:

“Time has come to take stock of our actions to reverse forest loss, land degradation and, at the same time, to achieve our commitment to meet the Paris Agreement goals, thus the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership is essential. Time has also come to accelerate and reinforce our actions. France is fully committed to scale up its engagements for forests and call all stakeholders, through existing initiatives like the Great Green Wall and coming opportunities to build a 2023 forest and land-use positive agenda.”

John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate:

“The United States is pleased to help launch the Forests and Climate Leaders’ Partnership with partners around the globe to help accelerate efforts to halt deforestation and land degradation, and restore ecosystems, in this critical decade for the climate. Success in this area is one of the most important tools we have to put the world on a path to averting the worst impacts of climate change, conserving biodiversity, and creating sustainable economic opportunities.”

Gustavo Manrique Miranda, Minister of the Environment and Water, Ecuador:

“This alliance is an opportunity to implement solutions that reduce deforestation, that increase forest restoration and strengthen the livelihoods of people living in forest areas. Ecuador understands that we must act strategically in our forests at the local and global levels.”

Sung-hyun Nam, Minister for Korea Forest Service, Republic of Korea:

“I believe that the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership will become a significant global partnership that calls on countries to help to address forest and land use issues as well as climate change with robust political support. Therefore, we, at the ROK, would like to take the opportunity to join the FCLP. Also, as a founding member, Korea will actively participate in activities of the partnership, and join forces with the global community to support forest restoration of developing countries using Korea’s know-hows and experience.”

Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Singapore:

“Singapore is delighted to be part of the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership, to work with like-minded partners on innovative and environmentally robust solutions that would unlock the potential of the forestry sector for climate action, while reducing the loss of forests worldwide. The Partnership will help scale up and support the development of high integrity markets for forestry carbon credits, in advancing global climate ambition.”

Franz Tattenbach, Minister of Environment, Costa Rica:

“We see the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership as the crucial delivery mechanism for global forest and land use commitments. After successfully implementing REDD+, decoupling GDP from deforestation, Costa Rica expects to maintain zero net deforestation, the high-value forests conservation, and consolidate carbon neutrality in the rural landscape scaling up sustainable land-use enterprises, forest-positive economies, and supply chains.”

Mohammed Hassan Abdullahi, Minister of Environment, Federal Republic of Nigeria:

“The forest is a powerful multi-faceted resource for fighting negative impacts of climate change and for changing lives. It is the most available and cost-effective tool for everyone to use, regardless of economic or social status, urban or rural. The alarming deforestation and land degradation rates in Nigeria makes it pertinent to join efforts to restore our forests and land to enable keeping global temperature goals, sustainable development for our people alongside the regeneration and survival of our ecosystems. Nigeria is happy to join the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership which we expect will provide effective leadership and means of implementation for forest and climate. Let the FCLP be a Partnership for Action.”

Senator the Hon Murray Watt MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australia:

“Forests and forest products are vital to addressing our global climate challenges, and require an ongoing focus at all levels to unlock their potential. Australia is proud to join with other high-ambition countries and help drive global momentum to address climate change through the Forests and Climate Leaders’ Partnership. Our unique and varied forests, deep Indigenous knowledge and practices, and experience managing forests for multiple outcomes, positions us strongly to contribute. We look forward to working with others to find innovative ways to build on existing global forest initiatives and maximise the role of forests as climate solutions.”

Mr. Hiroshi ORITA, Director-General, Forestry Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan:

“Collaboration is the key to moving forward the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use. Through the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership, Japan will play its part in realizing our shared goals in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders, including international organizations and the private sector, building on our experiences and expertise in restoring once degraded land into rich forests, and promoting sustainable forest management and wood use.”

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 7 November 2022.