Informing the House about Mr Speaker's decision not to select an amendment and proposing a motion regarding expenditure by the Cabinet Office for current purposes, capital purposes, and sums to be granted to Her Majesty.

Congratulating Madam Deputy Speaker on her videos and discussing the importance of translating recent net zero targets into deliverable climate action plans. He raises concerns about the UN’s NDC synthesis report, highlighting that only 75 parties to the Paris agreement have submitted their NDCs. Emphasises the need for diplomatic engagement with major emitters such as China, India, and others to help them move away from coal more quickly. Criticises the lack of a credible Government plan in delivering on net zero pledges. Discusses issues related to heating homes without burning gas and the importance of public expectations for progress towards reaching the net zero target. Stresses the need for dedicated climate diplomats working within each country and highlights concerns about the practicalities of hosting COP26 during the pandemic, including vaccination and testing services.

Announced a time limit of eight minutes for the debate, explaining that due to last-minute withdrawals from the previous debate, more time was available.

Emphasised the importance of COP26 as a key event in 2021. Highlighted the progress made by the Government and the Foreign Affairs Committee, mentioning the role of his right hon. Friend in running the conference efficiently despite challenges posed by the pandemic. He praised international cooperation, notably with Italy's Piero Fassino. Tugendhat stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to climate change that extends beyond the COP26 event itself and touches on every aspect of Britain’s foreign policy.

I echo the words of my predecessor, calling attention to the monumental decisions that need to be made ahead of COP26. I pay tribute to the work done by the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, whose reports should influence Cabinet Office agenda setting for COP26. Scientists are urging Government to set ambitious deadlines for achieving net zero along with shorter-term interim targets, but the latest budget falls short in providing hope or evidence of significant carbon reduction efforts. The decision to freeze fuel duty, approve a new coal mine and cut air passenger duties on domestic flights are regressive policies that hinder rather than help our carbon reduction strategy. There is clear indication from the Public Accounts Committee that Government lacks a plan for achieving net zero. Local authorities also play a major role in moving towards this target, but councils across the country face bankruptcy due to lack of funding. I urge Ministers to change course and show real leadership by setting out a serious plan with significant resources attached.

Welcoming the debate as an opportunity for global discussion on climate change, Philip Dunne agrees with McDonnell's stance that clarity over the path towards achieving net zero is crucial. He outlines four commitments made at Paris five years ago which form the basis of COP26 discussions: enhancing Governments' nationally determined contributions, inviting each country to provide long-term strategies, mobilising finance for green economies in poor countries and avoiding double counting through a global carbon market. The UK needs to ensure progress from major economies towards updating their nationally determined contributions. Parliament should engage in scrutinizing the Government's preparations, with nine Select Committees agreeing to collaborate on this issue. We need a credible success at COP26, despite current challenges across several areas such as power sector, transport, agriculture, housing and industry.

COP26 is critical for the UK's net zero commitments. The Cabinet Office budget reduction from £216 million to £22 million raises concerns about preparation adequacy. He urged the Government to ensure correct resource allocation, measurable outcomes, parliamentary engagement with devolved legislatures, and inclusivity in the delegation. Emphasised the need for setting the sixth carbon budget as per Committee on Climate Change recommendations and resetting the fifth carbon budget. Criticised foreign aid cuts and called for domestic policy progress, transparency, and funding commitments.

Welcomed COP26 coming to Glasgow and encouraged the Scottish Government's positive engagement. Highlighted the importance of widespread public and civic engagement for the event’s success. Stressed that climate change is everyone's responsibility. Urged the COP26 President to engage with communities, stakeholders, and young people in Scotland to ensure comprehensive public involvement.

My immediate priority is to ensure that the Government have the wherewithal to deliver this. The UK has often taken the lead on climate issues, and COP26 represents a critical opportunity for ambitious commitments from partners across the globe. Bernard Jenkin highlights his support for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty and mentions examples of the UK's own policies reinforcing its commitment to climate action, such as commitments to international marine reserves, agricultural reform, rewilding, net zero targets, home insulation, and reducing carbon emissions from transport. He also stresses the importance of significant effort and resources being expended before the conference itself, citing an example where France employed a former Prime Minister with 12 months and 200 diplomats for preparation. Jenkin asks what machinery of government supports the COP President to deliver his task effectively and urges for a coherent programme of scrutiny by Select Committees.

Lucas welcomes the support for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty and emphasises the importance of COP26, urging the Government to allocate more funding and show greater consistency in climate leadership. She criticises the UK's domestic policies such as allowing new coal mines, road building programmes, freezing of fuel duty, and reducing air passenger duty, highlighting that these actions are off track with carbon budgets. Lucas stresses the need for honesty about territorial emissions versus imported emissions and the importance of using COP26 to redouble diplomatic engagements for strong Paris-aligned climate ambition. She also calls for equitable access to vaccines for the global south during negotiations and highlights the underwhelming progress on emission targets globally, urging for specific climate finance beyond 2025. Furthermore, she criticises the UK's climate finance commitment from being taken out of aid budgets instead of new funding and demands reversing this cut. Lucas also calls for addressing loss and damage finance to prevent vulnerable countries from incurring more debt due to climate impacts.

The speaker emphasises the role of COP26 President in achieving ambitious NDCs from other countries, highlights the need for a clear plan to improve emissions reduction, suggests mobilizing the City of London's assets for climate finance, discusses the importance of carbon sequestration and innovative technologies for carbon removal, and raises questions about rare metals mining standards and geopolitical implications.

The speaker stresses the UK's responsibility to lead by example in global climate action, pushes for clear and ambitious domestic targets to maintain credibility, highlights the risks posed by delayed action on climate change, calls for adequate support for the global south in participating in COP26, and emphasises the importance of involving diverse voices from across the UK.

Green highlights the importance of affordable energy for manufacturing in the UK, especially in levelling-up regions. He expresses concern about the rejection of the Cumbrian coalmine, which supports jobs and uses metallurgical coal essential for the steel industry. Green advocates for celebrating UK's high environmental standards in manufacturing. He also stresses the role of nuclear power as a firm green energy source and calls for certainty from the COP26 presidency to support the nuclear industry's tempo of building power stations. Additionally, he commends the Government's plans for developing fusion energy technology.

Criticises the lack of clarity and detail in the Government's plans for COP26, noting a failure to outline their proposed path to net zero targets. Highlights concerns about Scotland's involvement and participation in the delegation despite its leadership on climate issues. Expresses disappointment with the level of political leadership and investment of political capital from the UK government, emphasising the need for a comprehensive diplomatic effort. Raises doubts over the environmental expertise within the COP26 team. Cites evidence from Lord Deben suggesting that the Government is not on track to meet net zero targets and criticises the lack of progress in almost every sector.

Commends the contributions made by other MPs, emphasises the importance of COP26 as a critical moment in climate action. Highlights the need for increased ambition from all nations to meet emission reduction targets. Discusses the role of domestic policy decisions in influencing international perception ahead of COP26 and calls for transparency and accountability from the Government regarding their preparations.

Questions Matthew Pennycook about the impact of importing coal versus producing it domestically, pointing out that carbon emissions are the same either way and highlighting potential job creation in the UK through domestic production.

Climate change is the biggest challenge we face as a global community and requires urgent action. The UK has decarbonised faster than any other G20 country since 2000, legislating for net zero by 2050. COP26 aims include commitments to global net zero emissions, protecting communities from climate impacts, securing climate finance, and completing the Paris rulebook. The UK is well-resourced with over 200 posts in the COP26 unit and full Cabinet oversight. Event logistics involve two sites: Scottish events campus for negotiations and Glasgow Science Centre for public engagement.

Mr. Jones thanked the COP26 President for his response and expressed gratitude to the Backbench Business Committee and the Liaison Committee for granting this important debate. He highlighted the urgency of bridging the gap between political announcements and actual delivery in countries around the world, encouraging the concept of dedicated climate attachés in the Foreign Office. He emphasised the UK's progress in decarbonisation of power as an example to other nations, especially those lagging behind on their NDCs. Mr. Jones also advocated for coupling climate diplomacy with industrial strategy opportunities, and underscored the importance of wealthy nations committing to climate aid despite financial challenges from borrowing during the pandemic. He pointed out the UK's symbolic role in leading by action as well as commitment, criticising the proposed coalmine in Cumbria and emphasising the need for a net zero transition even under difficult circumstances.