COP28

Question

The MP questioned whether there are concrete government plans to close the gap of 72% of required emission reductions that lack credible backing. She also expressed concern over UAE's role as COP28 president and its potential impact on trust in negotiations, especially regarding reports of securing oil and gas deals. She asked about the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels versus a complete ban, the High Ambition Coalition's stance on abatement technologies, and the need for new and additional finance to support loss and damage funds.

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The MP thanked Mr Speaker for granting a debate on COP28, noting only three backbenchers spoke in the previous debate and criticising the absence of Caroline Lucas. She questioned if 'vote blue, go green' is the best way to deliver net zero and highlighted that nature-based solutions are vital.

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The MP expresses concern about the government's failure to demonstrate climate leadership, especially after recent backtracking on net zero targets. She criticises the Prime Minister for sabotaging the UK’s history of climate leadership and questions the government’s commitment to advancing multilateral development bank reform.

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The MP inquires about progress on delivering commitments made at COP26 regarding deforestation.

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The MP questions whether the new Foreign Secretary's previous comments on climate change will undermine UK efforts to meet net zero targets. He cites a cost of £2.5 billion due to recent policy changes.

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The MP asks about the government's ambitions at COP28 regarding funding for green finance and how to encourage private sector contributions.

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The MP asks if the Minister recognises the damage caused by recent policy changes on climate action, citing concerns from business and experts.

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The MP seeks to accelerate efforts on fixing leaky homes, especially for low-income families.

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The MP expresses concern about the UK falling behind in offshore wind development due to increased costs and a failed auction.

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The MP argues for consumer choice in clean energy options over a top-down approach.

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The MP questions how seriously others will take UK commitments given recent fossil fuel investments.

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The MP praises UK efforts on decarbonisation and asks what message will be conveyed at COP28.

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The Government are going into these global climate talks having announced new North sea oil and gas fields. If every country copied this Government’s approach of squeezing out every last drop of oil and gas, we would risk extreme global temperature rises of 3°C. Every respected climate body has warned of the dangers of this approach, so at the climate talks why should any other country listen to this Government when their policies are not compatible with the UK’s own climate commitments?

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Climate change is the single biggest threat to humanity, and I will be looking forward to attending COP28 myself. I am pleased that it is taking place in the middle east, given the need to transition away from fossil fuels. We seem to forget our own history, because it was us—in Persia, in Mesopotamia and on the Arab peninsula—that got the middle east on to the road of oil and gas exploration. Does my hon. Friend agree that we are able to get our CO2 emissions down today because of the offshore wind farms in the English channel, and that those are the result of a lot of investment from the United Arab Emirates?

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Is it not just a little bit embarrassing that as Ministers head to the Gulf for COP, the European Marine Energy Centre in my constituency is having to consult on downsizing and restructuring because the Minister’s colleagues in the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities have been unable to provide the three-year funding stream that they had previously undertaken to provide? Will she speak to her colleagues in DLUHC to ensure that some certainty on that money can be given, and that the centre can continue its genuinely world-leading work on the development of marine renewable energy?

Question

New research by Ulster University finds that over 60% of homes in Northern Ireland will need to be retrofitted if we are to have a chance of meeting our net zero targets, and that at the current rate of retrofitting we have no chance of meeting our 2030 goals. Does the Minister believe that the support available to providers, such as the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and housing associations across the region, is adequate to allow them to tackle the climate breakdown and fuel poverty? Further, knowing the impact of climate change on the poorest countries in the world, will the Government finally make real the loss and damage fund to help those most affected to adapt and mitigate, and will she ensure that that fund is new money and not just a raid on existing pressed aid budgets?

Question

I have some great green innovators in my constituency, but it has been heartbreaking speaking to them over the last few months about the impact that the Government’s supposed reset on net zero is having on their businesses. They include new fuel cell producers, green aviation leaders, companies providing key supply chain parts to the car industry and renewable energy companies. Their businesses may be different, but the story is the same. The lack of action from the Government is making it harder for them to get investment, harder for them to create jobs and harder for them to bring growth to Mid Bedfordshire. My constituents ultimately saw through the Government’s shallow positioning on this issue, hearteningly for me, but it is unfortunate that this issue continues to hang over their prospects. How can we show leadership on this issue at COP28 at a time when the Government cannot even get out of the way of people looking to bring growth to my constituents?

Question

In the UK, heating homes accounts for 14% of carbon emissions, and in England our homes produce more emissions than cars do. That is not only costing the environment in the future; it is also costing taxpayers now. A decade ago, the then Prime Minister Cameron’s “green crap” riddance resulted in uninsulated lofts and in cavity walls being left unfilled. Given that that decision is now adding billions in additional costs to taxpayers and making it harder to meet the 2030 decarbonisation target, can the Minister ask the Foreign Secretary whether he regrets it?