The President of COP26 was asked— COP27: Finance for Loss and
Damage Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green) 1. What steps he
plans to take to help ensure that COP27 delivers finance for loss
and damage. Christine Jardine (Edinburgh West) (LD) 10. Whether he
plans to have discussions with the President of COP27 on continuing
negotiations for a loss and damage facility. Peter Grant
(Glenrothes) (SNP) 12. What steps he is taking to help ensure that
there...Request free trial
The President of COP26 was asked—
COP27: Finance for Loss and Damage
(Brighton, Pavilion)
(Green)
1. What steps he plans to take to help ensure that COP27 delivers
finance for loss and damage.
(Edinburgh West) (LD)
10. Whether he plans to have discussions with the President of
COP27 on continuing negotiations for a loss and damage
facility.
(Glenrothes) (SNP)
12. What steps he is taking to help ensure that there is a loss
and damage facility in place before COP27.
The COP26 President ()
COP26 was the first COP where a section of the cover decisions
was devoted to loss and damage. We agreed a new Glasgow dialogue
on loss and damage, which will discuss the arrangements for the
funding of activities to avert, minimise and address loss and
damage.
The COP26 President will know of the extraordinary anger and
sense of betrayal that was felt by the climate-vulnerable
countries, in particular, when they saw the finance facility that
they had proposed downgraded to just a dialogue. Will he say more
about how practically he will use that dialogue to create
momentum for a finance facility to be agreed at COP27? Given that
from day one of that COP, the UK returns to being a negotiating
party, not having the presidency, will he guarantee that the
Government will support the creation of that facility in Egypt
and that they will follow Scotland’s example by contributing new
and additional funding specifically for loss and damage?
I note the hon. Lady’s point, but the fact that we have
established a formal dialogue on loss and damage for the first
time does demonstrate progress. Ultimately, this will be a
party-driven process, as she knows. Parties will have to decide,
based on consensus, what the outcome of the dialogue will be.
I stress again that the Group of 77 plus China—the world’s
underdeveloped countries—were disappointed, crucially, with the
wording on finance. They say that it is weak and have called for
greater support, but there have been no specifics on how that
should be met. Does the COP26 President agree that resolving that
disappointment is vital both for ensuring global success against
climate change and for maintaining a balance of power on the
world stage?
I absolutely agree with the hon. Lady on the importance of this
issue. I very much hope that we will make progress on the
dialogue. I should point out that, in addition to the dialogue,
we have also done what we set out to do: to operationalise the
Santiago Network, so that technical assistance can be provided.
Parties have also agreed that funding will be provided to support
the work of the Santiago Network.
As the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion () mentioned, the first
organisation in the world to give a definite financial commitment
to a loss and damage facility were the Scottish Government, who,
officially, were not even part of COP. They have committed £2
million and, as a result, other organisations—the Government of
Wallonia for one—and a number of philanthropic bodies have also
committed money. Does the COP26 President agree that, in holding
the presidency of COP26, the United Kingdom is in a unique
position to encourage others to follow Scotland’s example? Does
he also agree that a significant commitment from the United
Kingdom would almost certainly open the doors for substantial
funding from other wealthy organisations?
Again, I make the point that it is the first time that we have
agreed the need for a dialogue. During our presidency year, we
will pursue that very actively.
(Harrow East) (Con)
I congratulate the President of COP26 on the excellent work that
he has done for this country and for the world. Will he also
inform the House what discussions he has had with the Treasury
about what we as the United Kingdom Government can do to help the
countries that are threatened?
(Lichfield) (Con)
What a creep! [Laughter.]
I will ignore that additional comment. I thank my hon. Friend the
Member for Harrow East () for his very kind words. A number of things have
happened in relation to the UK. The Chancellor has set out the
conditions to restore the 0.7% commitment and we know that, on
the latest forecast, that will be restored by 2024-25. In
addition, the UK worked with other countries to ensure that the
$100 billion delivery plan also set out when additional funding
will be made available to support developing countries.
(Greenwich and Woolwich)
(Lab)
Whether it is progress in relation to a dedicated loss and damage
funding facility, efforts to raise ambition when it comes to
national climate commitments, or delivering on climate finance
and adaptation pledges, implementing the Glasgow agreement will
require the work of our COP presidency not only to be sustained
but to be enhanced over the next 11 months. Can the President
therefore confirm today that the COP26 unit will be fully funded
to deliver on all the work programmes mandated in the Glasgow
agreement, and that the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero
will continue to receive support from the Treasury throughout the
remainder of the UK presidency?
I can certainly confirm that we will be taking very seriously our
work during the presidency year, and I will return to the House
in due course and set out a written statement on our role during
that presidency year.
Civil Society and Youth Groups
(Ruislip, Northwood and
Pinner) (Con)
2. What steps he took to ensure that (a) civil society and (b)
youth groups were included in the COP26 process.
The COP26 President ()
In the run-up to the summit, I met civil society and youth groups
on international visits. We established the COP26 civil society
and youth advisory council. I attended a Youth4Climate conference
in Milan, and obviously the conference of youth in Glasgow. I can
confirm that, at COP itself, we had over 160 youth, indigenous
peoples and broader civil society speakers who participated in
presidency-themed events.
Does my right hon. Friend agree with me that it is an important
feature of this COP event that so many young people’s voices were
able to be heard, in particular through digital methods, such as
the children of West Lodge Primary School in my constituency, who
told me on Monday how much they had valued their opportunity to
participate directly?
My hon. Friend makes a really important point, and I want to pay
tribute obviously to the children of West Lodge Primary School
and also to him for all the work that he does in his
constituency. We have an opportunity for all of us to play our
part in tackling climate action, and we want to ensure during our
presidency year that the voices of young people are integral to
driving climate action.
(Walsall South) (Lab)
I also pay tribute to the President of COP26 for the incredible
work that he did. Has he had any discussions with the Egyptian
Government about whether civil society groups can attend the
fringe meetings, including very important people such as David
Attenborough and Greta Thunberg, and also first nations around
the world that maybe did not have a seat at the table?
I thank the right hon. Lady for her kind words. Obviously, we had
some initial discussions with Egyptian colleagues at COP26
itself, but I hope to have a conversation with them, certainly
before Christmas, and to visit Egypt again in the new year to
talk about how we work in our presidency year as we move to
COP27.
Outcome of COP26
(Stourbridge) (Con)
3. What assessment he has made of the outcome of COP26.
(Kettering) (Con)
4. What assessment his Department has made of the outcomes of
COP26.
(Sheffield Central)
(Lab)
8. What assessment the Government have made of the adequacy of
COP26 outcomes.
The COP26 President ()
The Glasgow climate pact, agreed by almost 200 countries, is an
historic agreement that advances climate action. It is the result
of two years of marathon work and a two-week sprint of
negotiations, and I think we can say with some credibility that
we have kept the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5° within
reach.
Will my right hon. Friend join me in congratulating the pupils of
Gig Mill Primary School, Wollescote Primary School and Cradley
Church of England Primary School on taking part in my
COP26-inspired Christmas card competition? There were some
magnificent results. It is all about the environment, it is very
green and it is also about recycling, because one of them
actually used a potato head as a print to make a reindeer
Christmas card. It was very clear to me that the legacy of COP26
is very much alive and kicking in the younger generation.
I congratulate all the primary schools and the students who took
part in this Christmas card competition. It is perhaps an
inspiration to all of us for our Christmas cards. Undoubtedly, we
need to ensure that climate action continues to be raised as an
issue, and we all have a role to play.
Mr Hollobone
I congratulate the President of COP26 on his personal dedication,
hard work and commitment at the Glasgow summit. Will he confirm
that, as a result of the summit, for the first time ever over 90%
of the world’s GDP and about 90% of global emissions are now
covered by net emissions targets, and that all 197 countries have
pledged to revisit and strengthen these targets by the time of
COP27 next year?
My thanks to my hon. Friend for his kind words, and he is
absolutely right. When we took on the COP presidency, less than
30% of the global economy was covered by a net zero target, but
we are now at 90%, and yes, all countries have agreed to look
again at their 2030 emission reduction targets and come back on
those by the end of 2022 to ensure that they are aligned with the
Paris temperature goals.
Following that point, one of the positive outcomes of COP26 was
the agreement for countries to revise their emissions targets
next year. Will the President explain exactly what he will do
over the next 12 months to ensure we get the breakthrough we need
at COP27, not only to keep 1.5° alive, but to achieve it?
That is a very fair question, and as I said, in due course I will
set out for the House in a written statement precisely what we
will do in our presidency year. As the hon. Gentleman knows, a
significant number of commitments were made by countries at
COP26, and our intention is to ensure that they deliver on the
commitments they have made.
(Eltham) (Lab)
No one doubts the Secretary of State’s commitment to delivering
on climate change, but can he say what he intends to do over the
next 12 months? The pledges that were made at COP26 must have
been alarming to him, because with current pledges we are way off
delivering on 1.5°, and the achievements that countries will make
by 2030 will be way off target. What will he do to step up his
activities as president for the next year to ensure that we get
back on target to keep 1.5° alive?
As I said, I will set that out in writing. If we consider all the
commitments made by countries, including the net zero commitments
and long-term strategies, there are credible reports that suggest
we are heading to below 2°. Of course this is the start of a
decade of action, which is why we need to push forward during
this year.
(Ludlow) (Con)
Does my right hon. Friend believe that the current structure of
Government is adequate to ensure that the UK can deliver a more
ambitious nationally determined contribution at COP27?
The make-up and structure of the Government are obviously a
matter for the Prime Minister—I know my right hon. Friend will
have raised that issue at the Liaison Committee—but our current
NDC is aligned to net zero.
(Doncaster North) (Lab)
I want to commend the COP President, or should I say No Drama
Sharma, for his efforts in Glasgow. He is right that we have to
spend the next 12 months maximising the pressure on the big
emitters, and we can make a difference with the UK-Australia
trade deal. Australia’s 2030 target is consistent with 4° of
warming. Will he tell the Secretary of State for International
Trade to rewrite that trade deal, and not to water down
commitments, which is the current plan, but to make it
conditional on Australia, as well as the UK, having 2030 targets
that are consistent with 1.5°?
I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on his new role. My only
disappointment is that the phrase “shadow COP President” does not
appear in his title—that is where he could take some lessons from
the deputy leader of the Labour party about how to expand his
number of portfolios. On the point about Australia, I confirm
that the trade deal will include a substantive chapter on climate
change, which reaffirms both parties’ commitments to upholding
our obligations under the Paris agreement, including limiting
global warming to 1.5°.
I know I am shadowing the Department that the right hon.
Gentleman would quite like to run, so perhaps that announcement
will be forthcoming in the future. I am mildly encouraged by what
he says on Australia.
Let me take two other issues where he can show leadership: the
Cumbria coalmine, and the Cambo oilfield, which are the
equivalent of 18 coal-fired power stations running for a year. He
knows that we need to get others to phase out coal, and that we
need to phase out fossil fuels. Surely the right way to send a
proper signal to the rest of the world ahead of COP27, is for the
whole Government to start practising what he is effectively
preaching, and put a stop to Cambo and Cumbria.
We have previously had discussions at the Dispatch Box on both
Cambo and Cumbria, and the right hon. Gentleman will know that
they are being looked at by independent regulators and that
pronouncements will be coming forward. We have significantly
reduced the amount of coal in our electricity mix. Indeed, there
will be no more coal in the UK electricity mix from 2024.
(Edinburgh North and Leith)
(SNP)
I commend the COP26 President and his team for all their hard
work at COP26, but one issue missing from the Prime Minister’s
ambition for the conference was fossil fuels generally. It is
clear that we need action to tackle the use of fossil fuels
globally, but in a way that supports a just transition for
workers. Does the COP26 President agree that not having a
concrete commitment from COP for a global just transition from
fossil fuels is a disappointment, and that following the Scottish
Government’s example in delivering a just transition and opposing
further oil exploration would set a strong example for the next
COP?
We do support a just transition; in fact, the $8.5 billion deal
agreed with South Africa will enable decarbonisation and a just
transition in that country. We also now have 34 countries and
five public finance institutions supporting a UK-led initiative
to end international public support for the unabated fossil fuel
energy sector by the end of 2022.
Alternative Fuels
(Redcar) (Con)
5. What progress he made at COP26 on encouraging the use of
alternative fuels.
The COP26 President ()
At COP26, leaders of countries representing over 70% of global
GDP committed to work together to make clean technologies and
sustainable solutions the most affordable, accessible and
attractive option in each emitting sector before the end of this
decade.
Teesside is quickly becoming the epicentre of hydrogen technology
in the UK; with recent announcements on blue and green hydrogen
production, we are confident that Teesside will be able to
deliver more than half of the Government’s 2030 hydrogen
ambitions. Around 85% of all homes are on the gas network, and
domestic heating accounts for over 30% of the UK’s carbon dioxide
emissions. It is clear to me that we will not make net zero
without switching our gas network to 100% hydrogen. Will the
Minister recognise hydrogen as a fuel of the future, and will he
join me in my campaign for the UK’s first hydrogen village in
Redcar?
I agree with my hon. Friend that hydrogen is a fuel of the
future. As he will know, the idea of a hydrogen village trial was
proposed in the Prime Minister’s 10-point plan, and gas network
companies are working with local partners to develop proposals
for the trial. I suggest that he speaks to my right hon. Friend
the Business Secretary to make the case for Redcar.
Climate Change: Indigenous Peoples
(West
Dunbartonshire) (SNP)
6. What plans he has to promote the voices of indigenous people
in climate change discussions during the UK’s presidency of the
COP.
The COP26 President ()
Indigenous peoples’ voices were represented throughout COP26, and
of course the UK Government funded the indigenous peoples’
pavilion in the blue zone. We will continue to amplify indigenous
peoples’ voices during our presidency year.
I am grateful to the COP26 President for his response. The
territories of the world’s 370 million indigenous people cover
24% of the world’s land and contain 80% of the world’s
biodiversity, including sites of precious natural resources. It
is they who protect forests vulnerable to the encroachment of
modernity, which has caused climate change. Given that indigenous
communities are successful in maintaining control of their
territories and traditions against the onslaught of man-made
climate change, does the COP26 President agree that it is time
for them to be treated as equal partners in decision-making
processes, including at the United Nations?
As I said, we will absolutely amplify the voices of indigenous
peoples, but as the hon. Member will also know, the UK worked
with others to mobilise a pledge of at least $1.7 billion over
the next five years to ensure that there is support for
indigenous peoples, particularly when it comes to forest tenure
rights.
Limiting Global Heating
(Cardiff North) (Lab)
9. What recent assessment he has made of progress towards the
globally agreed aim of limiting global heating to well below 2° C
and pursuing efforts to limit heating to 1.5° C above
pre-industrial levels.
(Norwich South) (Lab)
13. What recent assessment he has made of progress towards the
globally agreed aim of limiting global heating to well below 2° C
and pursuing efforts to limit heating to 1.5° C above
pre-industrial levels.
The COP26 President ()
We can say with credibility that at COP26 we kept 1.5° alive, but
as I acknowledged in Glasgow and indeed here, its pulse is weak.
That is why we now need to turn commitments from countries into
action.
COP26 agreed that the Paris climate agreement must now be
implemented to keep global warming below 1.5°, but it has been
revealed that the UK has emitted around 50 million tonnes of
carbon in the past five years from collapsing peatlands alone. I
asked the Minister this last time, and I ask him again: where is
the climate leadership in this Government’s allowing two thirds
of UK peatlands to be burned while the world is on fire?
As the hon. Lady will know, we have a peat strategy, which I am
sure my colleagues in the Department for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs would be happy to share with her. More widely, as a
country we have decarbonised our economy faster in recent years
than any other G7 or G20 nation.
We know the oil of Cambo and the coal of Cumbria have to stay in
the ground if we are to keep temperature rises at below 2.4°C. I
say 2.4°C because that is the new reality after this year’s
COP26. Will the COP President commit to stopping Cambo and the
new coalmine in Cumbria, and end the climate hypocrisy that so
undermined his presidency at COP26?
I responded to the right hon. Member for Doncaster North () earlier on the issue of
Cambo and Cumbria. I would just say to the hon. Gentleman, more
generally, that I recognise we need to work very hard during our
presidency year to ensure that commitments by all countries are
turned into action. That is what we will be doing.
Topical Questions
(Warrington South) (Con)
T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental
responsibilities.
The COP26 President ()
At COP26, we won historic commitments from countries and
businesses to act on coal, cars, cash and trees. Countries have
also committed to revisit and strengthen by the end of 2022 their
2030 emission reduction commitments to align with the Paris
temperature goals. After six years, we have finalised the
outstanding rules governing the Paris agreement. Of course, as I
have said, we need to ensure that commitments are turned into
action.
I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his incredible work at the
COP26 summit in Glasgow. Will he continue to work with schools
and youth groups throughout the rest of his presidency? Can I
invite him to Warrington to meet young people in my
constituency?
I thank my hon. Friend for his kind words. I commend the work of
young people in his constituency and I will ensure that my diary
works so I can visit them.
(Newport East) (Lab)
T2. On behalf of my constituent Poppy, who was one of the
young people at COP26, what are the Government doing to help to
ensure that aid gets directly to those communities most affected
by climate change now, such as the Wampis living in the Amazon
who Poppy met and whose plight she was deeply moved by?
The hon. Lady raises an important point. One issue is about the
quantum of money; the other is access to finance. That is why we
are now launching five pilot projects in developing countries
around the world to ensure that access to finance is much
better.
(Vale of Clwyd) (Con)
T4. My right hon. Friend will know the increasing
importance of north Wales in supplying clean and green energy to
the national grid. Further to COP26, how would he describe the
prospects for tidal range technology in the region?
My hon. Friend is a great champion for his community on this
particular issue. He will know that the Government remain open to
considering well-developed proposals for harnessing tidal range
energy in the bays and estuaries around our coastlines.
Obviously, I recommend that he also speaks to the Department for
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
(Liverpool, West Derby)
(Lab)
T3. According to Friends of the Earth, 33,000 premature
deaths a year in the UK are linked to air pollution. During the
COP26 climate summit, the Environment Bill passed its final
stages in this House. Shamefully, it did not include legally
binding targets for air quality, which were called for by so
many, including hundreds of my constituents in Liverpool, West
Derby. As the UK retains the COP26 presidency, will it lead by
example and bring in the extra measures needed to clean up our
air?
The hon. Gentleman raises a very important point, but air
pollution has reduced significantly since 2010. Our clean air
strategy proposes a comprehensive suite of actions required
across all parts of Government to improve air quality.
Selaine Saxby (North Devon) (Con)
T5. Following on from the success of the North Devon climate
summit, my constituents are keen to understand how can we empower
people to make their own choices on a global scale.
I commend my hon. Friend and her constituents for the success of
the North Devon climate summit. Every Government need to play
their part and I am pleased that the UK Government’s “Together
for our Planet” campaign provides practical advice on how
everyone can go one step greener.
(Bath) (LD)
Synthetic aircraft fuels are still in their infancy.
Domestically, the Government have a tool, the renewable transport
fuel obligation, by which they can mandate the mixing of
synthetic fuels with conventional aircraft fuel, thereby starting
the process of making synthetic fuels viable. Is the right hon.
Gentleman aware of any similar mechanisms in other countries, so
we can start an international agreement on mixing synthetic fuels
with aircraft fuels and driving the route to net zero?
As the hon. Lady knows, the Government are putting funding behind
sustainable aviation fuels. I would be very happy to arrange a
meeting for her with the Secretary of State for Transport or with
a Transport Minister.
(Rushcliffe) (Con)
I particularly welcome the COP outcome relating to deforestation:
130 countries, representing 90% of the world’s forests, pledged
to end deforestation by 2030. How will that be monitored? What
steps will be taken if countries do not keep their word?
My hon. Friend raises a very important point. The 90% of forests
that are covered by the pledge are also being backed by £14
billion of public and private funding, so there will be a
mechanism for checks and balances. In addition, we agreed the
transparency framework at COP26, so we will be able to see
whether countries are meeting the commitments that they have
made.
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