Andy Burnham told a UN climate summit the UK is committed to hitting Net Zero by 2050 today – despite an apparent shift in tone domestically.
The PM spoke to a half-empty hall at the COP31 gathering in Turkey this morning, saying he wanted a ‘new era of British leadership over the next decade’.
During his speech to the United Nations Cop31 summit in Turkey, he warned that the ‘climate crisis is upon all of us now’ after a ‘not normal’ summer of extreme heat, wildfires and drought.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and London Mayor Lord Khan were among the sparse audience for Mr Burnham’s address.
The premier is facing questions over why he has jetted off to the talking shop – which is being attended by 100,000 delegates but every other G7 leader has skipped.
France‘s Emmanuel Macron, Italy‘s Giorgia Meloni and Canada‘s Mark Carney are all staying away. Donald Trump is not even sending officials after pulling out of the Paris Agreement.
Mr Burnham arrived at Antalya last night on a Government plane, and is departing this morning for Dublin – where he is joining a summit with EU leaders.
Andy Burnham told a UN climate summit the UK is committed to hitting Net Zero by 2050 today – despite an apparent shift in tone domestically
The PM spoke to a half-empty hall at the COP31 gathering in Turkey this morning, saying he wanted a ‘new era of British leadership over the next decade’
Mr Burnham and Lord Khan looked to be enjoying themselves in Antalya
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband was also on hand to boost the numbers listening to Mr Burnham’s speech
Lord Khan posed for selfies with UN staff at the summit this morning
Mixed signals have been coming out of the Government over Net Zero policy.
De facto deputy PM Louise Haigh is due to chair a Cabinet committee watering down EV targets today – after the meeting was delayed amid concerns the decision would leak and embarrass Mr Burnham.
Drilling at the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea was recently approved.
And plans for the UK’s largest solar farm on Oxfordshire’s Blenheim Estate have been blocked by ministers.
In his speech, Mr Burnham said: ‘The climate crisis is not a distant threat; it is upon us all now, devastating lives and livelihoods everywhere.
‘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 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’s early-morning speech at the summit was not well attended
