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COP28
29 November 2023
Lead MP
Amanda Solloway
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
ClimateEnergy
Other Contributors: 19
At a Glance
Amanda Solloway raised concerns about cop28 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
The minister discussed the upcoming COP28, highlighting the need for ambitious action to limit global temperature increases to 1.5°C. She noted that the UK has decarbonised faster than any other major economy by 48% since 1990 and set out a new approach towards net zero emissions with the Prime Minister's recent commitment. The minister outlined five key areas of focus for COP28: ambitious commitments, scaling up clean energy, finance reform including $100 billion for developing economies, building resilience to climate impacts, and restoring nature. She emphasised that action on net zero is crucial for security and prosperity in the UK and globally.
Caroline Lucas
Green
Brighton, Pavilion
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.
Minister reply
The minister acknowledged the seriousness of climate issues and highlighted that the UK is leading in this field by cutting emissions while growing the economy. She emphasised that nature-based solutions are vital for achieving net zero.
Question
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.
Minister reply
The minister agreed with the MP's points about the importance of heading towards commitments and the role of net zero as an engine for growth in formerly industrialised areas. She emphasised cutting emissions for both climate and economic reasons.
Kerry McCarthy
Lab
Bristol East
Question
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.
Minister reply
The minister highlights the government's significant financial contributions to global efforts against climate change, such as the $2 billion pledge to the green climate fund. She emphasises that senior members of the UK Government will be present at COP28.
Theresa Villiers
Con
Question
The MP inquires about progress on delivering commitments made at COP26 regarding deforestation.
Minister reply
While not providing specific figures, the minister confirms that the UK Government are committed to hitting key areas of progress at COP28, including finance, global stocktake, mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage.
Steven Bonnar
SNP
Question
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.
Minister reply
The minister reassures that the government is committed to hitting all targets and points out global progress towards net zero commitments since COP26.
Nigel Mills
Con
Question
The MP asks about the government's ambitions at COP28 regarding funding for green finance and how to encourage private sector contributions.
Minister reply
The minister acknowledges the importance of these discussions and suggests they will be a key part of conversations at COP28.
Anna McMorrin
Lab
Cardiff North
Question
The MP asks if the Minister recognises the damage caused by recent policy changes on climate action, citing concerns from business and experts.
Minister reply
The minister asserts that the government is committed to ensuring skills in place for a sustainable economy and highlights the UK's commitment to net zero goals.
Derek Thomas
Con
Question
The MP seeks to accelerate efforts on fixing leaky homes, especially for low-income families.
Minister reply
The minister agrees to meet with him to discuss this issue and commits the government to ensuring energy security.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Question
The MP expresses concern about the UK falling behind in offshore wind development due to increased costs and a failed auction.
Minister reply
The minister asserts that the UK remains world leaders on offshore energy, and emphasises other areas of investment like fusion and small modular reactors.
Vicky Ford
Con
Question
The MP argues for consumer choice in clean energy options over a top-down approach.
Minister reply
The minister agrees on the importance of education and offering choices, pointing to investment in offshore wind and other green technologies.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
Question
The MP questions how seriously others will take UK commitments given recent fossil fuel investments.
Minister reply
The minister defends the need for a balanced approach to energy supply, including jobs and investment in green alternatives.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Question
The MP praises UK efforts on decarbonisation and asks what message will be conveyed at COP28.
Minister reply
The minister emphasises the government's commitment to success at COP28, focusing on supporting key measures and progressing towards a greener future.
Richard Burgon
Lab
Leeds East
Question
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?
Minister reply
Of course we are committed to doing other things as well, which is what I am reiterating. We have a commitment to making sure that we learn from research and development, and that we are looking at offshore wind, but we also need to be realistic, which is why we are looking at oil and gas. It will have an impact on the economy and it will help towards a greener economy because of the investment that will be made through the oil and gas finance.
Question
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?
Minister reply
It is always a great pleasure to listen to my right hon. Friend, who reminds us of the history and of how we got to this point. However, we need to acknowledge all the good things that we are doing, and I reiterate that we are looking at ensuring sure that we have a secure energy future.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Question
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?
Minister reply
That is obviously not my Department, but I would be happy to take that away and facilitate a meeting, or indeed have a meeting myself.
Claire Hanna
SDLP
Belfast South and Mid Down
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?
Minister reply
With the hon. Lady’s permission, I would prefer to write to her, because parts of those questions are slightly outside my remit. However, I reiterate that one of the things we are determined to do is tackle fuel poverty. That is one of the reasons why we have a commitment to do this. Also, there is a lot of support that people can get, and I would encourage everybody to get what they are entitled to.
Hitchin
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?
Minister reply
This Government have demonstrated a commitment to investment in all these areas. Particularly from a science and technology point of view, I know that UK Trade and Investment has immense commitment and gives out support for this. But there are many things that we have been doing. We have not just been investing in R&D from a science point of view. What we are doing is investing in offshore wind, in alternative fuel and in all those things that will enable us to get to where we need to be.
Richard Foord
Lib Dem
Honiton and Sidmouth
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?
Minister reply
We are investing in making sure that homes are insulated and energy efficient. It is worth pointing out that between 1990 and 2021 the UK cut emissions by 48%, while growing the economy by more than 70%. I can, of course, pass on the hon. Gentleman’s message to the Foreign Secretary.
Shadow Comment
Caroline Lucas
Shadow Comment
The shadow responded by highlighting that despite the UK's ambitious nationally determined contribution for 2030, only 28% of required emission reductions are covered by credible government plans. She questioned the minister about concrete plans to close this gap and urged for strengthened NDCs and new economy-wide targets by 2025. Additionally, she expressed concern over reports that the UAE plans to use its role as COP28 president to secure oil and gas deals, potentially undermining trust in negotiations.
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