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COP30 2025-11-25
25 November 2025
Lead MP
The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Climate
Other Contributors: 32
At a Glance
The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero raised concerns about cop30 2025-11-25 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Today I am making a statement about the COP30 climate summit, which represents the greatest long-term threat we face as a world. The UK participated to drive clean energy and climate action at home and abroad, emphasising economic opportunities such as lower bills, good jobs, and growth for the British people. More than 190 countries attended COP30, building on decades of global cooperation that have seen significant progress in reducing warming projections from over 4°C to around 2.3°-2.5°C; covering 80% of global GDP with net zero targets; and investing twice as much in clean energy compared to fossil fuels. The UK worked closely with Brazil on the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, accelerating climate action globally. Notably, China pledged to cut emissions for the first time alongside other major economies. However, more progress is needed, especially concerning redoubling efforts to keep global warming to 1.5°C and enhancing financial support for developing countries by mobilising at least $300 billion per year by 2035 towards a trebled adaptation finance target by 2035. Furthermore, there was agreement on the need for a road map to phase out fossil fuels, endorsed by over 83 countries and more than 140 businesses, despite objections from some nations. The COP30 outcome extended the progress seen in previous years, reaffirming faith in multilateralism and the Paris Agreement.
Claire Coutinho
Con
East Surrey
Question
How can we ensure a just transition in the energy sector without closing down North Sea operations and raising bills?
Minister reply
The minister emphasises the importance of global cooperation and economic opportunities from clean energy, highlighting that shutting down North Sea operations is part of their commitment to climate action and future energy security.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Question
Does the Minister agree it is important to link energy security with climate breakdown and that moving away from fossil fuels towards clean home-grown energy is essential?
Minister reply
The hon. Friend's point is crucial. The movement away from fossil fuels is linked both to climate concerns and energy security, as demonstrated by Putin’s invasion of Ukraine showing reliance on foreign fossil fuels can be a vulnerability.
South Cambridgeshire
Question
Does the Minister acknowledge that despite progress at COP30, there is still no credible plan to reduce emissions and address the gap between current national commitments and those needed to stay below 1.5°C?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady raises valid concerns about the gap in ambitions versus actual plans but also highlights positive outcomes such as the pledges to cut methane and the recognition of climate, nature and public health interlinkages.
Sarah Coombes
Lab
West Bromwich
Question
Will the Secretary of State commit Britain to continuing to lead the way on driving down carbon emissions and saving our planet, and continuing to make the case that this action is making life in Britain for British people safer and cheaper?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is entirely right about that. Engaging with the world on climate change is incredibly important. We are committed to building on our legacy of British leadership on these issues, as we have done since 2008 under Labour's Climate Change Act.
Blake Stephenson
Con
Mid Bedfordshire
Question
Will he please update the House on what specifically was “moved forward” at COP in relation to the TFFF? When will decisions be made in the future about a financial commitment to that facility?
Minister reply
We have worked with the Brazilian Government on the design of the TFFF, and various countries pledged investment. Decisions regarding a financial contribution are under review and will depend on Treasury considerations.
Uma Kumaran
Lab
Stratford and Bow
Question
Will the Secretary of State outline to the House what Labour’s plans are for clean power by 2030, alongside our world-leading NDC?
Minister reply
Our plans include over £50 billion-worth of investment in clean energy. We aim to drive ahead with these initiatives and maintain leadership on climate change issues.
Christchurch
Question
Is it not a cruel confidence trick to suggest that 1.5°C is still achievable, when it manifestly is not?
Minister reply
I disagree; while the central scenario suggests between 2.3°C and 2.5°C of warming, every fraction of a degree reduced will save lives and prevent disasters.
Rosie Wrighting
Lab
Kettering
Question
Does the Secretary of State agree that Reform UK’s dangerous anti-climate politics show that with them our future is at risk?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend speaks well on this issue. We need to move away from a culture war on climate change and focus on shared ambition.
Claire Young
LD
Thornbury and Yate
Question
Can the Secretary of State outline the discussions he had at COP on agriculture, and will he work with his colleagues in DEFRA to reverse this Government’s mistakes?
Minister reply
We are making investments in farming and agriculture. Extensive discussions took place on methane reduction, which can have quick benefits for bridging the gap to 1.5°C.
Polly Billington
Lab
East Thanet
Question
Will he confirm that a third of the new budget will be spent on nature projects, with half of that spent on protecting forests?
Minister reply
Despite fiscal challenges, we have maintained £11.6 billion funding over five years in ICF. Further announcements are expected to address nature and climate finance.
Esther McVey
Con
Tatton
Question
What commitments were secured at COP30 from the countries responsible for the highest carbon emissions—China, the US and India—to reduce their emissions?
Minister reply
I would refer to international agreements made by these countries. Our focus is on our own leadership role in promoting methane reduction and net zero goals.
Lizzi Collinge
Lab
Morecambe and Lunesdale
Question
The constituency has had good clean energy jobs for decades through Heysham 1 and 2 nuclear power stations. Does the Secretary of State agree that COP30 agreements and Government actions on climate change are an opportunity to create good jobs, improve living standards in our country, and across the globe?
Minister reply
I agree entirely with my hon. Friend’s sentiment. According to the Confederation of British Industry, the net zero economy is growing three times faster than the overall economy. The global shift towards clean energy presents significant economic opportunities, which we must seize.
Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey
Question
The impacts of climate change are destroying day-to-day lives across the world. Does it feel like developed nations are taking a somewhat protectionist view at COP30, at the expense of millions of people whose countries will literally cease to exist as water levels rise?
Minister reply
That is an absolutely fair question; I ask myself this often too. Despite global pressures and constraints, we are trying our best. The difficulties arise from negotiating with 190-something nations each wrestling with their own dilemmas.
Toby Perkins
Lab
Chesterfield
Question
While the UK’s track record is respected internationally and received huge support, does the Secretary of State agree that it is disappointing that the roadmap towards the eradication of fossil fuels was not agreed? What more will he be doing to try to bring this coalition together next year?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his observations on the Conservative party’s work and policies. The transition away from fossil fuels is indeed challenging, but we are committed to continuing our efforts both inside and outside formal negotiations.
Andrew Mitchell
Con
Sutton Coldfield
Question
COPs have become hugely expensive jamborees with hydrocarbon interests distorting the original aim. The poorest people in the world suffer first and hardest from climate change, as seen in Darfur where climate exacerbates humanitarian crises.
Minister reply
While I understand the right hon. Gentleman’s concerns, COP remains an essential mechanism for accountability and driving progress on climate issues. We are committed to addressing adaptation finance and supporting developing countries.
Alex Sobel
Lab/Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
Question
Article 6 was operationalised at COP29 last year, allowing the UK’s City of London to play a global leading role in preserving nature. How can we ensure our finance is creating natural capital through Article 6 around the world?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend draws attention to an important aspect of climate policy. The City of London has significant potential to utilise carbon markets and contribute to global efforts on carbon reduction.
Roz Savage
LD
South Cotswolds
Question
Environmental campaigners have raised concerns over the carbon budget delivery's reliance on unproven technologies such as sustainable aviation fuel. How will the Government ensure that the UK is not offshoring ecological impacts, including deforestation or relying on fantasy future technologies?
Minister reply
While I understand the concerns, we are committed to ensuring our climate policies adhere to high standards and do not exacerbate environmental issues elsewhere.
Kit Malthouse
Con
North West Hampshire
Question
The right hon. Member asked if he could find the UK's name among the signatories of the Belém 4X agreement, which committed to quadrupling the production and deployment of sustainable fuel molecules by 2035.
Minister reply
We are supporters of green hydrogen and many other things mentioned in the agreement. However, we think that work needs to be done to ensure these developments can be done in a sustainable way.
Barry Gardiner
Lab
Brent West
Question
My hon. Friend asked about the role of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA), and how it would work with other countries for ambitious future plans despite resistance from some countries.
Minister reply
BOGA has played a significant role in assembling this coalition, but progress on coal shows that high-ambition coalitions are necessary to achieve desired outcomes.
Harpreet Uppal
Lab
Huddersfield
Question
My hon. Friend expressed disappointment at the criticism of climate change efforts as student politics and thanked the Secretary of State for his commitment. She asked how global agreements translate to practical support for communities and businesses.
Minister reply
The carbon budget monitoring system within Government is important, and clean energy projects such as solar panels on schools and hospitals are part of bringing benefits to communities across Britain.
Ellie Chowns
Green
North Herefordshire
Question
She thanked the Secretary of State for his work but questioned why the UK had not contributed financially to initiatives like the Tropical Forest Forever Facility or the just transition mechanism.
Minister reply
Regarding the Rosebank oilfield, I refer her to my previous answer. On financial contributions, we support ambitious finance goals and have not ruled out future contributions.
Tulip Siddiq
Lab
Hampstead and Highgate
Question
My hon. Friend expressed concern that climate change falls off the agenda outside COP events and asked for reassurance on ongoing Government commitment.
Minister reply
Climate action is an ongoing commitment, with projects like SMRs in Wales showing how clean energy can benefit today's generations too.
Llinos Medi
PC
Ynys Môn
Question
The hon. Lady thanked the Secretary of State for recent decisions on small modular reactors and asked about strategic vision from Government to develop marine energy technologies at pace.
Minister reply
We support tidal energy in previous auctions, but need to drive costs down further. I will pass her request regarding ringfencing budgets for tidal stream and wave energy to the relevant Minister.
Joe Morris
Lab
Hexham
Question
I was pleased to hear him leave the door open to future contributions to the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, asking for clarity on circumstances in which they might come.
Minister reply
We are considering future financial contributions but need to consider our fiscal situation as a country.
Carla Lockhart
DUP
Upper Bann
Question
Criticism of the madness of net zero, its high cost to taxpayers for minimal impact on a global scale. Questions about emissions from flights to COP30 and associated costs.
Minister reply
Disagrees with the hon. Lady's view, emphasising that engaging in international action is crucial given UK's 1% share of global emissions. The country must engage with other producers for effective climate action.
Abtisam Mohamed
Lab
Sheffield Central
Question
Welcomes the conference’s focus on multilateralism and creating the Belém mechanism for a just global transition. Calls for faster progress away from oil and gas domestically.
Minister reply
Encourages her to contribute to our consultation on transition plans for financial institutions and large companies, emphasising the alignment with net zero goals.
Esher and Walton
Question
Asks about the UK's failure to commit a single penny to Tropical Forest Forever Facility despite its conception by British minds. Asks how to explain this decision to schoolchildren.
Minister reply
Explains that they played a big role in helping to devise the TFFF, have not ruled out contributing in the future, and will keep UK contribution under review.
Olivia Blake
Lab
Sheffield Hallam
Question
Welcomes the Secretary of State’s clear leadership on climate issues. Questions whether the Government will continue to lead by ruling out extraction at Rosebank.
Minister reply
On that question, refers to the answer given a few minutes ago and emphasises the importance of future generations seeing action taken now.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Question
Highlights irony in 53,000 people flying to Brazil for COP30. Asks why the Secretary resists and blocks use of UK's own gas and oil resources.
Minister reply
Disagrees with the right hon. Gentleman, stating that disengagement from world would harm Britain’s interests; multilateralism is necessary to tackle problems like climate crisis.
Rachael Maskell
Lab/Co-op
York Central
Question
Calls for leadership on the fossil fuels road map and building an industrial strategy for a just transition.
Minister reply
Agrees with her that this is crucial, emphasising investments in carbon capture and storage, offshore wind, electricity networks to provide jobs of future.
John Slinger
Lab
Rugby
Question
Asks if strong British leadership at multilateral negotiations is part of a rebalancing that is more important than ever; preferencing interests of younger and future generations.
Minister reply
Agrees, emphasising the importance of putting faith in multilateralism rather than letting each other sink or swim to deal with consequences of our decisions.
Shadow Comment
Claire Coutinho
Shadow Comment
The shadow Secretary of State criticises the Government's climate policies, stating that they have led to the shutdown of North Sea energy supplies and higher domestic bills. Renewables advocates argue that the UK must continue drilling in the North Sea due to lack of a just transition plan. The minister's ideology is blamed for job losses and increased costs. In contrast, the opposition proposes a cheap electricity policy to reduce emissions by making electricity cheaper, which could cut costs by 20%. The shadow Secretary of State questions the effectiveness of the Government’s COP30 achievements, noting that no countries joined their Global Clean Power Alliance and that Britain did not contribute to the conference's flagship forest fund for the first time since 2021.
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