Andy Burnham has said “Britain is back and ready to play its full part” in tackling climate change in a “new era” of leadership over the next decade as he addressed the UN Cop31 summit in Turkey.
Amid accusations that his Government is deprioritising the green agenda, the Prime Minister recommitted to hitting its 2050 net zero target and to working with other countries to reach theirs.
Attending the annual climate gathering for the first time as Prime Minister on Thursday, he warned that the “climate crisis is upon all of us now” after a “not normal” summer of extreme heat, wildfires and drought.
“The climate crisis is not a distant threat; it is upon us all now, devastating lives and livelihoods everywhere,” he said.
“Meanwhile, two wars across two continents have sent fuel prices and gas bills soaring for families and businesses across the world. The common thread running through all of this: our dependence on fossil fuels.
“The message I carry here at my first Cop as UK Prime Minister is this: we’re committed to meeting our 2050 net zero target, and committed to working with all of our partners to reach theirs.”
Mr Burnham is expected to be the only G7 leader to address the summit in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya, with US President Donald Trump declining to send a delegation for the second year running.
He was the first speaker at the conference on Thursday, addressing a half-empty plenary hall at the start of the session with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and London Mayor Lord Sadiq Khan in the audience.
“Britain will live up to its commitments. We will help our friends as they live up to theirs. Britain is back and ready to play its full part,” Mr Burnham said.
As part of these efforts, Dame Madeleine Alessandri, former chairwoman of the Joint Intelligence Committee which provides ministers with national security assessments, has been appointed special representative for climate security, the Prime Minister said.
Calling on industry leaders to “play their part” to help people on all incomes make the green transition, Mr Burnham said: “This crisis can only be solved in partnership. I have pledged a new era of British leadership over the next decade.
“The consensus we once enjoyed on science and climate has gone, and the reality is now the world will reach 1.5 degrees. Climate leadership and action have become more urgent. Britain will answer the call.”
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