Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green) (Urgent Question): To
ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial
Strategy if he will make a statement on the outcome of COP27. The
Minister for Industry and Investment Security (Ms Nusrat Ghani)
After COP26, we were able to say with credibility that we kept the
pulse of 1.5° alive. Recent reports from the UN show that even in
extremely challenging economic and geopolitical contexts, the
Glasgow climate...Request free trial
(Brighton, Pavilion)
(Green)
(Urgent Question): To ask the Secretary of State for Business,
Energy and Industrial Strategy if he will make a statement on the
outcome of COP27.
The Minister for Industry and Investment Security ( )
After COP26, we were able to say with credibility that we kept
the pulse of 1.5° alive. Recent reports from the UN show that
even in extremely challenging economic and geopolitical contexts,
the Glasgow climate pact is working and we have made some
progress. For the first time ever, global energy policies are
strong enough for fossil fuel use within this decade to peak if
they are implemented. I know that the whole House will join me in
paying tribute to my right hon. Friend the Member for Reading
West () for his inspirational
leadership as President of COP26 and for his role during
COP27.
At the G20, which was attended by the UK Prime Minister, leaders
agreed to implement fully the Glasgow climate pact commitments to
limit global warming to 1.5° and to accelerate coal phase-down
and the transition to clean energy. The Glasgow climate pact
remains the blueprint for accelerating climate action in this
critical decade. With a difficult winter ahead of us all, more
than 100 leaders arrived at the beginning of COP27. The Prime
Minister pledged to speed up the transition to renewables, create
new high-wage jobs, protect UK energy security and deliver on net
zero. He chaired a high-level meeting on forests and announced
new support for climate-vulnerable countries. The negotiations
concluded in the early hours of yesterday morning, and the
Minister for Climate and the previous COP President are both on
their way back.
The progress made on loss and damage at COP27 is significant. It
has the potential to support the most vulnerable and to increase
that support in future. We had to fight to keep 1.5° alive, but
the deal in Egypt preserves the historic commitments that
countries agreed to last year in the Glasgow climate pact. As the
Prime Minister said yesterday, we
“welcome the progress made at COP27, but there can be no time for
complacency.”
Continuing to drive global ambition and the implementation of net
zero commitments is vital to the future of our planet. More must
be done.
My first question is: why on earth was this not a Government
statement? Why on earth have we had to drag a Minister here to
answer an urgent question? Lovely as it is to see the Minister at
the Dispatch Box, the subject is not even a central issue in her
ministerial brief, as far as I am aware. She mentioned the Prime
Minister’s statement at the end of the summit, but it was a
33-word tweet. That is just outrageous after such an important
moment.
On loss and damage, the agreement at COP27 on a new finance
facility is an historic step forward for climate justice, but to
ensure that it does not just become another broken promise, it
must be functional and properly resourced. First, what steps will
the Government take to support its establishment and ensure that
it is adequately funded with grants to help countries rebuild
when disasters hit? Secondly, how much will the Government
commit, and when, to specific funding for loss and damage—new
funding, additional to existing finance? The £5 million already
committed to the Santiago Network is for technical support, let
us remember, and comes out of the UK’s already dwindling official
development assistance budget. Thirdly, will the Minister support
innovative sources of funding, particularly Prime Minister Mia
Mottley’s Bridgetown initiative?
The final agreement from the summit fails to commit to India’s
proposal to phase out all fossil fuels. Does the Minister
recognise that in order to keep 1.5° alive and show any credible
climate leadership on the world stage, our Government must
urgently address their own climate policies? Will the Minister
now reject the Rosebank oilfield and rule out any new oil and gas
in the North sea? How will the Government maintain the high-level
political engagement required to continue to push the COP process
forward, given that the UK’s presidency is ending and nobody in
Cabinet appears to be leading? Do we not need a special prime
ministerial envoy?
Lastly, in his statement on 9 November about COP27, the Prime
Minister said:
“With the Egyptian President, I raised the case of the
British-Egyptian citizen Alaa Abd el-Fattah.”—[Official Report, 9
November 2022; Vol. 722, c. 260.]
Alaa has faced intimidation, has suffered fainting fits and
mental breakdowns, and is currently on suicide watch, yet it
seems that the Government are standing idly by. Will they now
listen to John Casson, the former ambassador to Cairo, who has
said that the time for “polite requests” is over? We need action
now.
Ms Ghani
There are so many important questions there, but as I have said,
the fundamental negotiations concluded just yesterday and both
the previous COP President and the Minister for Climate are on
their way back—it takes a bit of time to get from Egypt to
Westminster. The Climate Minister was indeed prepared to offer a
statement tomorrow, but the hon. Lady secured a UQ and here we
are.
As for providing a fund, COP27 agreed to establish a fund, which
was negotiated just yesterday, to respond to loss and damage as
part of the wider funding arrangements to mobilise support. The
UK’s view is that discussions should consider the widest possible
sources of contributions, which will be fleshed out in further
negotiations. The UK commitment of £11.6 billion to support that
commitment continues, and support will continue for the most
vulnerable, who are experiencing the worst impacts of climate
change. We will also triple our funding for adaptation, to reach
£1.5 billion a year in 2025.
The hon. Lady also talked about new oil and gas licences. The UK
remains fully committed to its COP promises, as well as our
domestic climate commitments, including the UK’s target to reach
net zero by 2050 and to phase out coal by 2024. In the near term,
our priority is keeping our domestic production online to help
the UK through what could be a difficult winter.
We achieved so much at COP26 in Glasgow, under the leadership of
our very own COP26 President. When the UK took on the presidency,
just one third of the global economy was committed to net zero.
Today that figure is 90%. There is no time to be complacent, but
we will continue to campaign, as we always have done, and
continue to be leaders in this field.
I want to take a moment to raise the issue of Alaa Abd
el-Fattah—and to make sure that my words are accurate, because I
know that words matter at the Dispatch Box when we are dealing
with this particular issue. Alaa Abd el-Fattah’s family and the
UK Government have concerns for his welfare. The FCDO made a
statement at the time of the verdict, noting:
“We do not consider this outcome consistent with recent positive
steps to improve human rights”.
During COP27, the PM raised the issues of imprisoned writer Alaa
Abd el-Fattah with President Sisi and resolving the consular
issue. I do not have any further details on that right now, but I
know that those words will be incredibly impactful.
(Lichfield) (Con)
Listening to the tirade of the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion
(), one would not think that
this country had cut its global emissions faster than any other
G7 country. We have everything to be proud of. Will my hon.
Friend pay tribute to the work of the Mayor of the West Midlands
and Transport for the West Midlands? Coventry will be the first
city in the United Kingdom to have over 300 electric buses, with
an investment of £150 million, demonstrating that this country is
indeed effective in cutting emissions.
Ms Ghani
My hon. Friend hits it on the head. When local leadership
delivers net zero targets, so much can be achieved. I was the
buses Minister in a previous life, so his question is close to my
heart. I am so pleased that Coventry will be the first place in
the country to be driving forward so many electric buses, with
the £150 million grant that has been made available.
I know that the previous COP President said that the 1.5° target
was hanging by a thread, but there is so much that came out of
COP27 that we should be proud of. The Prime Minister reinforced
the UK commitment to deliver £11.6 billion in climate finance and
announced a tripling of funding for climate adaptation, to £1.5
billion in 2025. The UK also announced a further £65.5 million
for the clean energy innovation facility, which provides grants
to researchers and scientists in developing countries to
accelerate the development of clean technologies. So not only are
we leading with policy; we are also trying to help other
countries to be part of the net zero technology revolution.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Secretary of State.
(Doncaster North) (Lab)
May I start by echoing the sentiments expressed by the hon.
Member for Brighton, Pavilion () about the case of Alaa Abd
el-Fattah? The Government must ensure that his case is not
forgotten. He must be released. I also pay tribute to the COP26
President for his service and to his team of civil servants in
the COP unit.
Despite the welcome progress at COP27 on support for
climate-vulnerable countries, which I acknowledge, we should be
clear: on the crucial issue of 1.5°, this summit failed. The
planet is hotter than it has been for 125,000 years. We already
see the disastrous effects of 1° of warming, but rather than
tackle this crisis, too many leaders are fiddling while the world
burns. As a result, we are currently on track, according to the
UN, for a catastrophic 2.8° of warming. We should tell the truth:
unless we do something different and fast, we will leave a
terrible legacy. Against this backdrop, no country can be patting
itself on the back. As a country that considers itself a climate
leader, we have a responsibility and opportunity to set the pace
in the year ahead, and our moral authority in the negotiations
depends on it.
First, to go further and faster, and to persuade others, too, I
urge the Minister to commit, as the Opposition have, to a 2030
zero carbon power system, the new gold standard of international
leadership. That means ending the perverse ban on onshore wind
and the blocking of solar, the cheapest and cleanest forms of
power.
Secondly, we need to acknowledge the elephant in the room: fossil
fuel. The COP26 President argued, unsuccessfully, that the
conclusions of COP27 should include the phasing out of fossil
fuel. If we extract all remaining reserves, we will blow way past
1.5° to 3° and more, but the Government are indulging at home in
a dash for new fossil fuel licences, which will not even make a
difference to bills, and they refuse to rule out a new coalmine
in Cumbria. What kind of leadership is it if we tell others not
to have new fossil fuel exploration while saying it is okay for
us to do it here at home?
Thirdly, we need to demonstrate to the world that climate
leadership means we will not only set stretching targets but meet
them, yet the Climate Change Committee says we are off track and
our net zero strategy has been found to be unlawful. What will
the Government do to put that right?
Finally, the next year, leading up to the 2023 global stocktake,
is the last real chance to save 1.5°. In years to come, every
Government and politician will be judged on how they responded at
this moment of jeopardy for the world. I urge the Government to
show consistent leadership, to lower bills, to create jobs and to
act before it is too late.
Ms Ghani
It is true that the COP26 President said 1.5° is on life support,
but that does not mean COP27 is a failure. Significant progress
was made, especially on providing support for the most vulnerable
and increasing that support for the future. We have to keep
fighting to keep 1.5° alive, but the deal in Egypt preserves the
historic climate commitments agreed in last year’s Glasgow
climate pact. It is important to recognise how much was achieved
at Glasgow by the COP26 President.
Questions were raised on the further outcomes of COP, but I
sometimes feel that, because so much has been negotiated, we do
not appreciate how far we have come. During this presidency,
there has been extensive lobbying for all countries to assess
their 2030 nationally determined contributions to keep 1.5° in
reach and to deliver on the Glasgow climate pact. More than 90%
of the world’s GDP is now covered by net zero commitments, and
169 countries have put forward new or updated 2030 NDCs,
resulting in reductions compared with previous NDCs. Of those, 29
new or updated NDCs have been submitted since COP26.
Full implementation of these NDCs is consistent with about 2.5°
of warming, and full implementation of the net zero commitments
could see warming as low as 1.7°. Fifty-four countries and
parties have submitted long-term strategies so far, and this
includes 10 new or updated submissions since COP26.
This remains a priority for the Government, and we not only have
a Minister and a Department focused on climate and energy, but it
is the Prime Minister’s focus, too. He came to the Dispatch Box
just last week to make an extensive statement and to respond to
colleagues’ questions. The legacy of COP26 will continue, and we
will continue our leadership role, too.
(East Devon) (Con)
Our energy security has never been more vital, and the bills
arriving on doorsteps in East Devon are testament to that. Does
my hon. Friend agree that the energy sovereignty we need will
ultimately mean lower energy bills for households in Devon?
Ms Ghani
Absolutely. My hon. Friend is a true champion for his
constituents, and I know energy bills are at the forefront of all
our minds after spending another weekend at home in our
constituencies dealing with the concerns of our constituents.
Most of our constituents understand that energy security is now
an issue, and they appreciate that the pressure on energy prices
is down to Putin and his illegal invasion of Ukraine. This also
shows that we have to be opportunistic in ensuring that we invest
in the right technologies and the right renewables to ensure we
are resilient and sovereign at home when it comes to fuel.
Mr Speaker
I call the SNP spokesperson, .
(Edinburgh North and Leith)
(SNP)
I also associate myself with the comments about Alaa Abd
el-Fattah.
I pay tribute again to the role of the former COP26 President,
the right hon. Member for Reading West (), in the negotiations. Demoting
him from the Cabinet sent entirely the wrong message, and I
commend the dedication and diligence he brought to the position.
The SNP very much welcomes the news of the landmark agreement on
loss and damage.
The former COP26 President and many others, including our First
Minister, have condemned the agreement’s glaring lack of a clear
commitment to ending our dependence on fossil fuels. To keep 1.5°
alive, we need urgent action. Will the UK Government commit to
building a coalition ahead of COP28 to ensure that phasing down
and out fossil fuels forms part of the agreement? Do the UK
Government acknowledge that, to have any authority in making this
argument, they must recognise the weakness of their own climate
compatibility check for new oilfields, which seems designed to
enable exploitation of fossil fuels rather than to control and
drive them down?
Finally, will the UK Government support discussions, as
highlighted at COP and by the Bridgetown agenda, on the reform of
multinational development banks to better support climate
objectives?
Ms Ghani
I think we all have warm words for the COP26 President and the
leadership he has shown. Obviously, he will continue to provide
that leadership, and people around the world will be looking at
him to see what he says in the future and at what was delivered
at COP27.
We are leading a coalition to ensure that we are driving down
emissions and investing in alternative renewable fuel and energy.
That will ensure that we are resilient and can provide the fuel
and energy that our constituents need up and down the country. We
need a mix of fuel and energy, which includes offshore and
nuclear as well. Unfortunately, the party that the hon. Lady
represents is dead set against nuclear energy, which would enable
us to have efficient, clean, green, resilient, homegrown fuel,
allowing us to have a much healthier discussion when it comes not
only to fuel resilience, but to energy prices, too.
(Crewe and Nantwich)
(Con)
Despite the usual doom and gloom and negativity from those on the
Opposition Benches and from campaigners glueing themselves to
roads, will the Minister confirm that, according to the
independent climate change performance index, the UK is the only
G7 country in the top 10? We are ahead of Germany, France, the US
and China. Perhaps those people glueing themselves to roads and
moaning should focus their energies on those other countries that
need to catch up with us. They could glue themselves to the roads
over there—though, of course, they should not fly to get
there.
Ms Ghani
Once again, my hon. Friend hits the nail on the head. The climate
change performance index is not run by the Government; it is an
independent organisation that monitors these issues. The UK is
the only G7 country to be in the top 10, which shows that we are
world leaders. Obviously, I cannot comment on his points about
how individuals and political parties with issues about reaching
net zero would do better to focus their attention on those other
countries that are not doing so well.
(Huddersfield)
(Lab/Co-op)
Is this Minister aware that, since I read and reviewed Professor
Steve Jones’s book, “Here Comes the Sun”, I have been convinced
that, unless we do something really radical, life on this planet
will be extinguished? That is the level of the challenge. Not one
senior Cabinet Minister is here today for this urgent question on
the most important thing that faces us all. My party and her
party must get their act together if we are not to face the end
of life on this planet.
Ms Ghani
I do not keep a tab on what papers or books the hon. Gentleman
reads. I am sorry that he is disappointed that there is not a
Cabinet Minister in the Chamber, but, as I have said, they were
involved in negotiations at COP and they are now on their way
back. The urgent question was granted and here I am. No one is
denying the importance of what is happening at COP. We must make
sure that we reach net zero. That applies not only to this
country, but to countries around the world with which we have to
negotiate.
I am anxious that we do not leave this Chamber with a picture of
doom and gloom. Negotiations have taken place and there has been
some progress, but sometimes we overlook that progress. I know
that what matters to my constituents will no doubt matter to the
hon. Member’s constituents as well. On the forests and climate
leaders’ partnership, for example, 23 countries and the EU are
accelerating momentum to halt and reverse forest loss and land
degradation by 2030. The UK has also confirmed £150 million to
protect rainforests and natural habitats. That is as a result of
our leadership. It is not perfect, but we should be so proud of
how far we have gone.
The accelerating to zero coalition has also been launched, and it
has been announced that the zero emissions vehicle declaration
has 210 signatories. Furthermore, the breakthrough agenda will
result in tangible actions being taken by countries that account
for more than 50% of global GDP. There is much more to do, but
there is a lot to be proud of. We should continue moving
forward.
(Christchurch) (Con)
Will my hon. Friend explain exactly what discussions took place
in Egypt between our Government and Germany on the issue of
Germany’s intent to open up lignite mining and use lignite to
generate electricity—lignite being the dirtiest form of
electricity generation? Is there not something of an issue for us
as a country in competing with Germany if it is quite prepared to
ignore all the norms and use lignite to generate electricity,
while we are reluctant to even open another coalmine?
Ms Ghani
My hon. Friend makes a valid point. We often focus on what we are
delivering in the UK, and that is important, but we make an
argument that other European countries are somehow constantly
cleaner and greener. His point is a valid one. That is why global
negotiations and global collaborations matter. We must shine a
light not only on countries far from home, but on countries
closer to home, such as those in Europe, which unfortunately are
not leading the way as much as we are.
(Bath) (LD)
I add my thanks to the previous COP President and his team. I
must also say that other countries being bad is no excuse for
being complacent in this country. It is estimated that in eight
years’ time the costs associated with loss and damage will range
from £290 billion to £580 billion. Those are huge sums, but they
are dwarfed by the billions in subsidies that the fuel industry
receives on top of its vast profits. When will the Government
stop their subsidies to the fuel industry and set out their plan
to phase out fossil fuels in this country? The Minister has not
answered that question yet.
Ms Ghani
I have indeed answered that question and focused on the fact that
we are aiming to reach net zero. We have to ensure that we have a
mix of energy, and we have to phase out at a pace that means that
we have a certain level of resilience and access to fuel and
energy. We cannot just switch off the tap today and assume
someone is going to step in tomorrow.
(Brent North) (Lab)
That the UK is reducing emissions faster than other countries may
be true, but it is not sufficient to meet the timescale within
which we have to reduce emissions globally to realise 1.5°. Will
the Minister tell me today what she is doing in terms of putting
new money into that loss and damage fund, and to identify the new
money? Much of what she has identified so far has been
pre-announced—it is old money. Will she also tell me what she is
doing to ensure that the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero
will be adequately funded not only by the UK, but by other
countries?
Ms Ghani
The hon. Gentleman has a valid question. The negotiations are so
fresh—the agreement was concluded yesterday and the negotiations
are still ongoing to flesh out the detail—that I do not have a
direct answer. It is still being negotiated. However, the UK
contribution will continue to ensure high value for money for the
UK taxpayer from that international support, and of course we are
dedicated to making sure that we reach our target and our
commitment to the loss and damage fund.
(East Antrim) (DUP)
While thousands of the great and the good, the chattering classes
and the global warming zealots are flying out of Egypt today in
their private planes and fleets of airlines, patting themselves
on the back that for the 27th time they have saved the world,
does the Minister accept that we still need reliable fossil fuel
energy to drive our economy and to lift billions out of poverty
in the developing world? Does she accept that many people across
the United Kingdom who were hit with big tax rises last week will
be concerned at the demand for even more billions to pay
compensation because we industrialised first? Will she assure us
that she will not be taken on some kind of ecological guilt trip
and end up committing to pay billions in compensation when we are
responsible for less than 1% of CO2 emissions in the world?
Ms Ghani
There was so much in that question. Rest assured, I am never
driven by any guilt trip whatsoever. I am not sure how far I can
push the envelope, but there is a certain something about people
flying in and out while we are trying to drive down greenhouse
gas emissions. There is some hypocrisy there.
We know there is a huge issue at home. We are dealing with fuel
bills, and one of the answers to that is making sure that we have
a mix of energy. Going forward, we are absolutely committed to
offshore and nuclear, which will provide us with a certain level
of security and will help to manage our bills. The hon. Gentleman
is absolutely right that we have to accept our contribution to
global emissions, and even more so our leadership position. We
will make sure we honour that.
(Leeds North West)
(Lab/Co-op)
I was at COP27, and I spoke to people from pacific small island
developing states—climate Ministers, speakers and chairs of
environment committees—who are suffering the most horrendous
effects of climate change: cyclones, rising seas and lack of
electricity. In 2009, at the Copenhagen COP, they were promised
$100 million a year. That money has not been delivered. When will
the money come off the page, so that they can start building
houses and seawalls and having new electricity systems? The UK is
not delivering for those most at risk from climate change.
Ms Ghani
I know, from many of my family in Pakistan, of the devastation
that has taken place there. Thirty million people have been
displaced. There is a huge amount of work to be done to protect
those countries and communities. We will make sure that they get
back on their feet as quickly as possible, which is why the
negotiations and the outcome of COP are so important. I mentioned
the funding we have committed—more than £11.6 billion is already
in the system. But if money is made available and negotiated at
COP, we have to make sure that the international institutions
deliver that money quickly to the communities that deserve it the
most.
(Islington North) (Ind)
I think the whole House owes a debt to the hon. Member for
Brighton, Pavilion () for securing this urgent
question and for raising the issue of human rights in Egypt. The
Minister must be aware that Kenya and its five surrounding
neighbouring countries have contributed less than 0.1% of
greenhouse gas emissions in their existence, yet they are paying
the price with climate change, flooding, devastation, and now
famine and so much else. Thirty one years ago, Vanuatu asked for
restitution from the richest countries in the world in order to
help them to deal with the consequences of rising sea levels.
Will the Minister take this opportunity to do two things? Will
she welcome the commitment of the newly elected President Lula of
Brazil to protect the Amazon rainforest and ensure the
biodiversity of his country as a contribution to world survival?
Secondly, will she guarantee that no British companies or banks
will finance any fossil fuel exploration, extraction or trading
anywhere in the world?
Ms Ghani
The tail end of that question was answered by the Prime Minister
when he gave his statement just last week. On the question about
Brazil, at COP27 we committed to £90 million to the Congo basin,
a part of the £1.5 billion put in place to invest in the world’s
forests. I am not sure if I already made the point that the UK is
playing a leading role in developing the Indonesia just energy
transition partnership, which was announced at the G20 leaders’
summit in Bali and will mobilise £20 billion in the next three to
five years. We should take a moment to recognise that the
negotiations on Sunday morning will help a number of those
countries that do not do as well as us and ensure that they have
the support they need.
(Brentford and Isleworth)
(Lab)
The Minister says that the Government want to address the energy
crisis soon and roll out renewable energy, so will they recommit
to onshore wind and solar power development, as supported by a
significant majority of the population, including Conservative
voters and the last Prime Minister?
Ms Ghani
Our focus is offshore wind and nuclear because we see them as the
best way of ensuring cheaper, cleaner and more secure power. As
for onshore wind, I believe that there is a commitment to a
consultation to see which communities in England want to host new
onshore wind infrastructure. Fundamentally, we are focused on
offshore and nuclear.
(Aberdeen South) (SNP)
Over the weekend, with a straight face the Scottish Daily Mail
ran a front page, which at the top offered advice on how to
battle a blackout while the main story stated that Scotland faces
a “new windfarm invasion”. If we are to combat climate change and
meet net zero, onshore wind is crucial. Does the Minister agree
that that particular invasion as outlined by the Scottish Daily
Mail would be one that we should all welcome?
Ms Ghani
Fortunately or unfortunately, I do not read the ScottishDaily
Mail, so I cannot picture what that looked like. As I said
earlier, our focus is on offshore wind farms and nuclear power. I
find it extraordinary that, as we talk about what one would
naturally call green issues, the hon. Gentlemen’s party just
cannot come to terms with the fact that nuclear power is a clean,
green and resilient form of energy on which we should focus as
well.
(Leeds East) (Lab)
The Prime Minister said at the end of COP that
“Keeping the 1.5° commitment alive is vital to the future of our
planet”,
but the Government plan to accelerate North sea oil and gas
production. We need deeds, not words. If the Government are
serious about keeping 1.5 alive, should they not reject the
application for the Rosebank oilfield, the largest undeveloped
oilfield in the UK?
Ms Ghani
We are committed to 1.5°, which is why we have a net zero
strategy and why we hosted and led COP26 and continue to lead at
COP27. I have already spoken about the number of programmes,
policies and investments that we are making. Between 1990 and
2019, we grew our economy by 76% and cut our emissions by more
than 44%, decarbonising faster than any other G7 country. Those
are not words; those are deeds.
The hon. Gentleman talks about oil and gas. As I have said, the
UK remains fully committed to its COP promises. We will continue
to progress the expansion of renewable energy to generate 95% of
electricity from low-carbon sources by 2030. No other major
oil-and-gas producing nation has gone as far as the UK in
addressing the role of oil and gas in their economy. The opening
of the most recent licensing round by the North Sea Transition
Authority followed the publication of the climate compatibility
checkpoint, and it should be seen in the context of the North sea
transition deal. That includes emissions-reduction targets
consistent with the Government’s net zero strategy, which
establishes the UK’s pathway for meeting carbon budget and
international targets.
(Reading East) (Lab)
Despite some progress being made at COP27, we did not see the
transformation that the world so urgently needs. Will the
Minister set out what the Government will do in the next year to
drive this agenda forward?
Ms Ghani
I so enjoyed that question, but I am not the Climate Minister or
in line to be the next COP President, so I cannot say what our
negotiations will come to, but the point is that we are leading
countries both in Europe and internationally. We want to ensure
that they can come along with us and are as close as we are to
reaching net zero targets. We will continue to provide that
leadership.
(Rochdale) (Lab)
The Minister might want to remind her Back Benchers that this is
not a competition. The whole world is in this together; there is
no one-country solution. In that context, how can she stand
before the House without addressing how, if we develop oil and
gas domestically, we can dictate to others—in the Arab world, for
example, or Germany with lignite—that they should not do the
same.
Ms Ghani
I can offer concrete examples of where we can confidently
showcase what we are doing compared with other countries. I did
not say it was a competition, but every time I offer up how we
have moved forward compared with other countries, I am told that
we are not going far enough. We have a jet zero strategy, and we
know that maritime is a major issue when it comes to the climate,
so we have a clean maritime plan—I believe that we were the first
country in Europe to produce one. We have led the way on enabling
many industries to reach net zero. We are also doing that because
we know that there will be more than half a million skilled,
green and well-paid jobs in all those industries, and we want to
make sure that we provide that sort of support for communities up
and down the country.
(North Down) (Alliance)
There is a dangerous loss of momentum around the 1.5° target, and
continued fossil-fuel extraction is the greatest problem. Looking
ahead to COP28—ironically, it will be in the United Arab Emirates
of all places—what lessons have the Government taken from COP27
to better ensure that progress can be made next time around?
Ms Ghani
The hon. Gentleman challenges me again to put our programme
forward before the COP27 delegation has even arrived in
Westminster. I would argue that they want to ensure that, where
we have not gone as far as we wanted at COP27, we can achieve
those ambitious targets at the next COP. As everyone mentioned
earlier, the world is watching and we cannot be in the situation
of saying that 1.5° is hanging by a thread.
(York Central)
(Lab/Co-op)
The Minister has not mentioned methane and the disappointing
agreement to reduce methane by just 30% by 2030. Why is her
Department sitting on a green new deal for BioYorkshire that
would put the science in place for global transformation around
issues such as methane and fuel transition?
Ms Ghani
The most peculiar thing is that I assumed the Minister for
Climate would be in the Chamber. I did my best to prepare for the
methane question, but I am struggling to find the exact answer in
front of me. If the hon. Lady will bear with me, I will make sure
that she gets a written response from him, if not from me, by the
end of the week.
(Glasgow North) (Ind)
The President of the European Commission described the COP27 deal
as
“a small step towards climate justice”.
The Scottish Government established a climate justice fund back
in 2012. Now that the Secretary of State is sitting next to the
Minister, can she confirm whether the UK Government understand
and accept the consequences and concept of climate justice?
Ms Ghani
The UK Government absolutely understand, which is why we were
leading the charge in Glasgow at COP26 and continued to do so at
COP27. That is why the President of COP26 had the confidence to
deal with the negotiations as they were. We knew that 1.5° was
going to be tricky; it is an international negotiation.
Considering the international players that were involved, we are
in a good place, but we need to move forward. The hon. Member
also mentioned the funding that was negotiated just yesterday
morning, which is on top of the £11.6 billion. I am not sure it
took an intervention by his party; it was a result of
international negotiations that have been taking place at
COP.
(Strangford) (DUP)
I thank the Minister for her answers. The primary cause of our
climate crisis has evidently been the lack of winding down of our
fossil fuel use. Disappointingly, we have simply repeated the
call to accelerate efforts to phase down our use of coal power,
with still little result.
Ms Ghani
rose—
Will she commit to a joint approach with our COP allies to
protect the world’s most vulnerable and their reliance on fossil
fuels, and to work harder towards actions that keep alive 1.5°,
which is very much what we want to try to achieve?
Mr Speaker
The Minister should sit down until the Member sits down, so that
I know who is standing. You cannot both stand at the same
time—that includes me. [Interruption.] I also do not need any
help from the Back Benches.
Ms Ghani
I was so keen to answer the hon. Gentleman’s important question.
The answer to all those points is yes.
Mr Speaker
That completes that urgent question.
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