PM launches UN climate summit in UK
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Launch of UK-hosted UN climate summit by PM at event attended by
David Attenborough PM to give speech positioning UK as a
world leader on tackling climate change with call for international
action to achieve global net zero emissions UK bringing
forward end to the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles to 2035,
and including hybrids for the first time The Prime Minister
will today, Tuesday 4 February, launch the next UN...Request free trial
The Prime Minister will today, Tuesday 4
February, launch the next UN climate conference COP26, joined by
Sir David Attenborough and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte
at an event in central London.
At the event, he will set out the UK’s
position as a world leader in the response to climate change,
having made a legal commitment to achieve net zero emissions, and
call all nations to strive towards this goal.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“Hosting COP26 is an important opportunity for
the UK and nations across the globe to step up in the fight
against climate change. As we set out our plans to hit our
ambitious 2050 net zero target across this year, so we shall urge
others to join us in pledging net zero emissions.
“There can be no greater responsibility than
protecting our planet, and no mission that a Global Britain is
prouder to serve. 2020 must be the year we turn the tide on
global warming– it will be the year when we choose a cleaner,
greener future for all.”
The Prime Minister will use the speech to call
for international efforts to reach net zero as early as possible
through investment in cleaner, greener technology, preservation
of our natural habitat and measures to improve resilience to
climate change impact.
At the event, which will also be attended by
Sir David Attenborough, the Prime Minister will reinforce his
commitment to tackling climate change and biodiversity loss
simultaneously, recognising the important role of the restoration
of nature in his vision.
Demonstrating the UK’s urgent action to reduce
emissions, the Government plans to bring forward an end to the
sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans to 2035, or earlier
if a faster transition is feasible, subject to consultation, as
well as including hybrids for the first time.
The Government will continue to work with all
sectors of industry to accelerate the rollout of zero emission
vehicles - helping to deliver new green jobs in the
UK.
Business and Energy Secretary
Andrea Leadsom said:
“The UK has a proud record in tackling climate
change and making the most of the enormous economic potential of
clean technologies.
“This is my number one priority, and we will
raise our ambition in this year of climate action, including with
new plans to decarbonise every sector, enabling a greener future
for all our children.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:
“This government’s £1.5bn strategy to make
owning an electric vehicle as easy as possible is working - last
year alone, a fully electric car was sold every 15
minutes.
“We want to go further than ever before.
That’s why we are bringing forward our already ambitious target
to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars to tackle climate
change and reduce emissions.”
The Prime Minister and Prime Minister Conte
will lead the discussion on the fight against climate change as
part of the larger global alliance which makes up COP26.
Later this month, Italy will host the meeting
of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Rome ahead
of this year’s critical biodiversity summit, COP15, when
countries from around the world are due to agree on a new global
framework to protect plants and wildlife.
Today’s launch will also kick off a Year of Climate Action, with events to take place in all four nations of the UK, and businesses and charities encouraged to participate in the run-up to the summit in Glasgow in November.
Notes to editors:
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