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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.