← Back to House of Commons Debates
COP26
02 November 2022
Lead MP
Daisy Cooper
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyClimate
Other Contributors: 27
At a Glance
Daisy Cooper raised concerns about cop26 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:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Asked what steps are being taken to help international partners deliver on the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use commitments, and pressed for more action from the UK government in terms of secondary legislation to regulate forest-risk commodities.
Daisy Cooper
Lib Dem
St Albans
Pressed the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to commit to bringing regulations within a year that apply across all items posing risk to forests.
Asked about recent steps taken with international partners to conserve forests, praising previous efforts but seeking confirmation on continued commitment to south-east Asian countries.
Kerry McCarthy
Lab
Bristol East
Expressed disappointment in the COP President not being allowed to answer questions and questioned whether the UK has failed to deliver on its promises, especially regarding climate finance commitments.
Complained about the demotion of the COP President from Cabinet before his handover period and questioned who would be driving forward important international commitments in the future.
Christchurch
Asked for an assessment on how international energy self-sufficiency could contribute to meeting climate targets.
Pressed the Minister to urge all countries at COP27 to join in giving diplomatic support to a new global registry of fossil fuels, designed to help assess production against climate targets.
Asked for agreement on further co-operation between European nations for energy security and meeting the challenge posed by Russia's war of aggression.
Chris Evans
Lab Co-op
Caerphilly
Questioned the safety of fracking, given the Government’s claim to follow science, and inquired if the Minister would support it happening near his constituency.
Asked about recent discussions with Cabinet members on the Net Zero Strategy and carbon budgets.
Inquired into discussions regarding steps being taken to meet the commitment to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by at least 68 per cent by 2030.
Asked about recent Cabinet member discussions on the Net Zero Strategy and carbon budgets.
Graham Stuart
Con
Beverley and Holderness
Defended the Government's net zero strategy, noting that it was not quashed despite criticism from a judge. Emphasised the 'laudable' nature of their plans according to claimants during proceedings.
Critiqued the Treasury for warning about a £50 billion financial black hole caused by crises such as Ukraine, inflation, Brexit and cost of living. Suggested that oil companies are making record profits despite paying windfall taxes.
Asked about structures within Government to drive delivery of nationally determined contributions for COP programme and net zero targets.
Inquired about the contribution new nuclear projects can make towards achieving net zero strategy, noting concerns over carbon emissions from opposing such projects.
Ed Miliband
Lab
Doncaster North
Acknowledged previous COP26 President's work and criticised current policy on onshore wind ban in contrast to former government promises. Questioned the Prime Minister’s commitment to climate targets and net zero strategy.
Greenwich and Woolwich
Inquired about progress towards limiting global temperature rises to 1.5°C, and questioned the reduction of UK methane emissions since COP26.
Expressed concern over rising temperatures in Arctic countries and asked for further measures to assist these regions against climate impacts.
Inquired about discussions with Egyptian counterpart regarding loss and damage settlement at COP27, and questioned the UK’s follow-up actions based on Scottish Government initiatives.
Dan Carden
Lab
Liverpool Walton
Welcomed Minister to her role and questioned whether the Government would remove a loophole in windfall tax legislation that incentivises new oil and gas extraction, despite Shell's profits being incompatible with 1.5°C target.
Christchurch
Asked the Secretary of State if they will give the cold shoulder to Germany at COP27 for continuing a massive expansion in lignite use, which is the dirtiest way of generating electricity.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Asked the Secretary of State for an update on steps being taken to reduce methane gas emissions by 2030 in accordance with the global methane pledge set at COP26.
Ben Spencer
Con
Runnymede and Weybridge
Praised pupils from Sayes Court and Manorcroft primary schools for their environmental activism, highlighting its importance alongside large-scale commitments like the Glasgow pact.
Asked about recent discussions with Brazil’s incoming Administration regarding deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, and if there are plans to establish an international preservation alliance where richer countries pay for carbon credits.
Chris Evans
Lab Co-op
Caerphilly
Critiqued the Government’s planning laws that allow polluting companies to gain permission to build waste transfer plants, questioning if reforms will be made to align with net zero goals.
Taiwo Owatemi
Lab
Coventry North West
Expressed disappointment in the Government’s inconsistent stance on attending COP27 and investing in green technologies, urging them to sign off on the gigafactory for electric car manufacturing in Coventry.
Liz Twist
Lab
Blaydon and Consett
Asked about the Prime Minister’s decision to support oil drilling in the North Sea through a loophole, benefiting companies like Shell and BP, ahead of COP27.
Government Response
Emphasised ongoing efforts to ensure international partners deliver on commitments made at COP26, highlighted the UK's pledge of £1.5 billion for forests across the current period of international climate finance, reaffirmed commitment towards sustainable forest protection. Confirmed that discussions are ongoing with south-east Asian nations regarding tricky issues such as palm oil and timber sustainability. Defended the Government’s net zero strategy and its cross-Government efforts to drive forward carbon budget reviews through the Climate Action Implementation Committee. All matters of tax are for His Majesty's Treasury. Former fossil fuel companies are now energy companies investing in renewables. The UK will work with international partners to move towards clean energy post-COP26 presidency.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.