Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Trade Strategy: Climate Change

Thursday 21 October 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department for International Trade is pursuing objectives to put climate and environment at the centre of its ambitions.
  • UK Export Finance recently published its climate change strategy.
  • The UK is building international consensus for ambitious collective action on mitigating emissions.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Duncan Baker
Climate Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The question arises from the need to address climate change as a critical issue affecting global trade.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to include climate change in its global trade strategy.

Answer from Anne-Marie Trevelyan

The Department for International Trade is pursuing a range of objectives to put climate and environment at the centre of our departmental ambitions, and we are committed to maximising the economic value of the net zero transition. In addition, UK Export Finance recently published its climate change strategy, setting out its support for green exports and its commitment to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or mechanisms not detailed, only general commitments mentioned

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Q2 Duncan Baker
Climate
Context

Concerns about countries ignoring their responsibilities towards climate change, leading to a need for coordinated international efforts.

Question

Climate change continues to be the dominant issue that affects people and Governments all over the world, and COP26 needs to show that it has co-ordinated efforts with countries that can help. Would my right hon. Friend ever consider trade sanctions against countries that wilfully ignore their responsibilities, and would a carbon border adjustment be a mechanism she would consider?

Answer from Anne-Marie Trevelyan

As hosts of COP26 and the G7 this year we are determined to promote transformational actions to deliver on the Paris agreement. The UK is building international consensus for ambitious collective action on mitigating those emissions, and promoting policies such as carbon pricing to ensure that private sector incentives are aligned with our goals for an ambitious outcome at COP26. From a trade perspective, any policy option we pursue should be market oriented, World Trade Organisation compliant, evidence based, proportionate, and forward looking.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific commitment to considering sanctions or carbon border adjustments, only general principles mentioned

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