Speech by Alok Sharma on Increasing ambition towards a climate-resilient, zero-carbon economy

Thank you so much Selwin for that introduction.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we look forward to COP26 next November, our aim is to increase ambitions towards a climate-resilient, zero-carbon economy.

Now we know that to limit warming to 1.5 degrees, we need to halve global emissions over the next decade.

The current commitments made under the Paris Agreement fall far short of what is required.

And that is why we are asking every country to submit enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions as well as an ambitious Long-Term Strategy, committing to further cuts in carbon emissions by 2030 and to reaching net zero as soon as possible.

The UK will of course come forward with our own more ambitious NDC as soon as possible.

And through programmes such as the NDC Partnership and the UK Green Recovery Challenge Fund, we continue to support other nations as they develop their plans and remain committed to fulfilling the $100 billion climate finance goal.

The UNFCCC Secretariat’s NDC synthesis report will show us how far countries’ collective commitments take us towards the Paris goal, and the work left to do in Glasgow.

In addition to the negotiations, the UK’s COP Presidency will focus efforts on five areas which need particular attention to achieve our goals.

These are clean energy, clean transport, nature-based solutions, adaptation and resilience, and underpinning everything, finance.

In energy, we can make the most of the low costs of renewables to boost growth and create jobs;

By investing in zero-emission transport in a coordinated way, we can accelerate the transition to cleaner air;

By incorporating adaptation and resilience into our recovery plans, we can better prepare for the next crisis while supporting the global economy;

And by protecting and restoring nature, we can improve the resilience, sustainability and also the economics of agriculture;

In all sectors, we must align our public and private finance with the Paris Agreement.

Through these campaigns, we can not only ‘do no harm’, but also rebuild our economies better than ever before.

Last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled an ambitious economic strategy for the UK.

A ‘New Deal’ to help build our economy back to health.

To build back better.

And to build back greener.

Of course, this opportunity applies to every country in the word, not just the United Kingdom.

We must collectively use the time ahead of COP26 to unite behind a fairer, greener and more resilient global economy.

And we must come together to unleash the full potential of the Paris Agreement.

Thank you.