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COP26
19 January 2022
Lead MP
Colum Eastwood
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
TaxationClimateNorthern IrelandEnergy
Other Contributors: 28
At a Glance
Colum Eastwood 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 the Government what progress was made at COP26 to ensure the Paris Agreement temperature goal remains achievable, inquired about funding for Northern Ireland’s farming sector, and questioned the adequacy of actions towards net zero emissions.
Colum Eastwood
SDLP
Foyle
Asked what progress was made at COP26 on ensuring the Paris Agreement temperature goal remains achievable. He also inquired about funding for Northern Ireland’s farming sector to help them achieve net zero emissions more quickly.
Alberto Costa
Con
South Leicestershire
Asked if plastic pollution and global warming are linked, and urged the Minister to do more to tackle microplastic and microfibre pollution in marine environments.
Darren Jones
Lab
Bristol North West
Questioned why the COP President had not set out which countries are his priority for enhanced nationally determined contributions before COP27. He also asked about the perceived lack of momentum two months after COP26.
Asked what items the Minister would seek to make progress on in his remaining time as COP President until November, noting that important steps were made at COP26 but some commitments remain incomplete.
Ed Miliband
Lab
Doncaster North
Critiqued the lack of momentum two months after COP26 and expressed concern about soaring energy bills. He proposed a windfall tax on fossil fuel companies to help mitigate the impact of high prices on consumers.
Inquired if the UK Government would sign up to the UNICEF declaration on children, youth and climate change as Scotland recently did.
Asked about discussions with Cabinet colleagues on how government procurement could contribute to COP26 commitments. He also questioned whether there were conversations around biodegradable face masks for procurement purposes.
Caroline Lucas
Green
Brighton Pavilion
Called for an end to new oil, gas or coal projects in line with the Glasgow climate pact and the International Energy Agency’s recommendations.
Andrea Leadsom
Con
South Northamptonshire
Asked about the assessment made of the potential role of the North Sea oil and gas industry in transitioning to net zero. She also praised the Government's work on renewable energy but emphasised the need for practical steps that secure energy bills and security.
Olivia Blake
Lab
Sheffield Hallam
Inquired about how policies outlined in the net zero strategy would reduce emissions, expressing doubt about the Government’s understanding of these issues when publishing the strategy.
Greg Hands
Con
Haltemprice and Howden
Responded to questions about the role of oil and gas in energy transition, acknowledged the importance of renewables in constituencies like Banff and Buchan. Emphasised the UK's ambition to become a world leader in carbon capture and storage technology.
Alan Brown
SNP
Central Ayrshire
Asked about the assessment on the potential role of carbon capture and sequestration for delivering COP26 commitments. Questioned why the Scottish cluster was relegated to reserve status despite its significant potential.
Sheryll Murray
Con
South West Devon
Inquired about progress made at COP26 regarding supporting the transition to zero emission vehicles and requested an update on actions related to local lithium production in Cornwall for energy storage purposes.
Stephen Metcalfe
Con
South Basildon and East Thurrock
Asked about progress made at COP26 concerning the transition to zero emission vehicles, highlighting the UK's commitment through the Zero Emission Vehicles Transition Council.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Highlighted concerns regarding grid capacity investment for electric vehicle roll-out and questioned who would bear the financial responsibility.
Contrasted UK government's cut in EV grant with Scotland’s generous scheme, questioning which approach is more effective at encouraging greater use of electric vehicles.
Neil Hudson
Con
Epping Forest
Inquired about progress made at COP26 on reducing coal usage and expressed concern over the proposed new coalmine in west Cumbria, urging for a progressive environmental example.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Advocated against moving forward with the proposed coalmine in Cumbria, suggesting instead investment in green energy sources like wind and hydro to create sustainable jobs.
Richard Burgon
Lab
Leeds East
Criticised government for engaging with fossil fuel executives after COP26 and argued for an end to new fossil fuel projects as per UN’s recommendation.
Inquired about the Clydebank declaration for green shipping corridors aiming at supporting zero emission shipping routes, particularly significant for Eastbourne due to proximity to a busy shipping lane.
Angela Eagle
Lab
Wallasey
Argued that a just transition should involve protecting consumers from soaring energy prices and suggested introducing a windfall tax on North Sea oil producers benefiting from high prices.
Asked the Minister to exert pressure on Brazil for implementation of COP26 commitments regarding deforestation in the Amazon, highlighting illegal activities currently taking place.
Southgate and Wood Green
Mr. Charalambous stressed the importance of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees to prevent species extinction and deforestation, urging the Minister to accept Labour’s call for a net zero and nature test.
Mr. Sunderland questioned how the COP President reconciles his narrative on global leadership with the need for continued hydrocarbon extraction due to energy cost concerns.
Anna McMorrin
Lab
Cardiff North
Ms. McMorrin criticised the Government for increasing the risk of climate-triggered wars and neglecting aid for vulnerable communities, urging them to focus on climate leadership rather than dealing with internal scandals.
Mr. Young asked the Minister to support Redcar and Cleveland’s bid to become home to the UK's first hydrogen village by 2025, highlighting Teesside as the hydrogen capital of the UK.
Mr. Docherty questioned what measures the Government is taking to support small and medium-sized utility companies in delivering zero emissions and jobs after his local company, Together Energy, went bankrupt.
Fleur Anderson
Lab
Putney
Ms. Anderson asked when the Government would reform and reintroduce the green homes grant which had been scrapped last year.
Government Response
Emphasised that the Glasgow climate pact kept alive the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, and stressed that commitments must be translated into action. He highlighted ongoing efforts by Defra to tackle net zero issues. Responded to questions about carbon capture technology, progress on zero emission vehicles at COP26, grid capacity investment for electric vehicle roll-out, coal usage reduction, green shipping corridors declaration, windfall tax proposal on oil producers, and deforestation in the Amazon. Mr. Sharma responded to each question, emphasising the government's commitment to an orderly transition towards net zero, highlighting previous initiatives such as putting in place a price cap and aiming for 2 million green jobs over the coming decades.
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