Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Developing countries across the global south were promised further discussions on loss and damage climate compensation at COP26 last November. In recent Bonn talks, these promises seem to have been backtracked.
The Minister references the deadly drought in the horn of Africa and the catastrophic floods in Pakistan, which clearly show the reality and urgency of the climate emergency. Last November, at COP26, developing countries across the global south were promised further discussions on loss and damage climate compensation. In the context that she has described this morning, why was the UK backtracking on the promises made at COP26 in the Bonn talks this summer? What message does she think that failure of leadership sends to our allies and partners in the global south?
At COP26 in Glasgow, we led a global commitment that kept 1.5° alive, and it is vital that countries across the world hold up the promises that they made there. We in the UK, and Ministers from across this Government, always raise climate change on every single diplomatic visit. I do not accept the premise that we are backtracking: just before recess, I went to South Africa to work on the just energy transition partnership, which is the landmark deal for the entire world in helping developing countries. We are leading that work and we are focused on that as a priority.
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Assessment & feedback
The backtracking of promises regarding loss and damage climate compensation was not directly addressed; instead, there were general statements about leadership and prioritisation without specific details or commitments.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The new Conservative Prime Minister has proposed a temporary moratorium on green levies. There is concern about this approach, given the need for substantial investment in climate action.
As has been said, the appalling floods in Pakistan, which have affected more than 30 million people, show that the climate crisis is not a future problem—it is here and it is now. Despite the Minister's bluster a moment ago, it is incredibly concerning that the new Conservative Prime Minister has said that she will impose a temporary moratorium on the green levies that we need to reach net zero. Will the Minister commit to doubling our commitments to net zero, so that the UK can lead from the front to build a green and secure future?
We have doubled our commitment to climate to £11.6 billion. That is helping people across the world to access clean energy, to reduce deforestation, to protect oceans and to build clean infrastructure.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific question about committing to doubling commitments was not directly addressed; instead, there were general statements about existing commitments without new specifics.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Scotland became the first developed economy to pledge dedicated loss and damage funding at COP26. The UN Secretary General has highlighted the urgent need for such policies, especially in light of crises like those in Pakistan.
According to the UN Secretary General, people are 15 times more likely to die if they live in a climate crisis hotspot, which is what we see unfolding right now in Pakistan, with more than 6 million people in dire need of humanitarian aid and already more than 1,000 people dead. Last year, at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland became the first developed economy in the world, led by our First Minister, to pledge dedicated loss and damage funding. Ahead of COP27, will the UK Government finally commit to establishing a similar loss and damage policy in line with the 2015 Paris climate accord?
We are working with countries across the world to ensure that everybody holds up the promises that they made at COP26. We understand the challenges that many countries are facing, including the terrible situation in Pakistan, where we have already donated more than 10% of what the UN and Pakistan have asked for to meet their emergency need.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific question about establishing a loss and damage policy was not directly addressed; instead, there were general statements about working with countries without new specifics or commitments.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Minister had previously acknowledged the urgency of tackling climate change in the context of global south crises.
What diplomatic steps are being taken to work with partners in the global south to tackle the climate emergency ahead of COP27?
The catastrophic floods in Pakistan and appalling droughts across the horn of Africa are just two examples of where a destabilising climate is threatening the lives and livelihoods of tens of millions of people. In this context, the COP26 President, my right hon. Friend the Member for Reading West (Alok Sharma), Whitehall teams and our diplomatic network are working with Egypt as COP27 host, and with partners across the global south, to accelerate global climate action ahead of COP27.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific steps being taken were not detailed; instead, there was general acknowledgement without concrete commitments or timelines.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The Foreign Office Arctic policy update document is ready to be published, with updates on UK's stance and future plans for the region.
Central to our battle against climate change must be our relations with the Arctic countries and the Arctic circle in general. I understand that the Foreign Office Arctic policy update document is ready to be published. Can the Minister update the House about when that document will be published and perhaps even about what might be in it?
My hon. Friend is a true supporter of the Arctic region. Several of the Arctic states have published new Arctic strategies. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Asia and the Middle East, who is the Minister responsible, was able on her visit to the region very recently to talk about the UK's intention to publish a UK Arctic policy. We are looking forward to publishing a refreshed UK Arctic policy later this year.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific timing of publication and contents were not detailed; instead, there was general acknowledgment without concrete details or commitments.
Response accuracy