Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Climate Change: International Leadership

Tuesday 12 November 2024 · 6 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 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial steps towards international climate leadership include assessing policies for compatibility with 1.5C targets and ensuring compensation for climate loss and damage in developing countries.
  • Discussions with international partners focus on nature-based solutions and addressing multiple crises simultaneously without isolation.
  • Government efforts to support green businesses include the establishment of the energy superpower mission board to address grid connections and capacity issues.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Harpreet Uppal Lab Huddersfield
Climate
Context

The UK is attending COP29 in Baku and the issue of international climate leadership has been brought up.

Question

What steps are being taken to establish international leadership on climate change, given that this year is likely to be the hottest on record?

Answer from Kerry McCarthy

I completely agree with my hon. Friend. There is a direct link between taking action to protect the British people at home and leading on climate action abroad. We are working with other countries because of the credibility gained from domestic actions since entering government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific plans or commitments beyond agreeing that domestic actions matter for international leadership.

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Q2 Harpreet Uppal Lab Huddersfield
Climate
Context

The Government has set a new target for cutting carbon emissions and the question is about ensuring all policies are assessed.

Question

Will every single policy across Departments be assessed to check compatibility with 1.5°C, and what steps are being taken to ensure proper compensation for climate loss and damage in developing countries?

Answer from Kerry McCarthy

On the question of looking at our policies across the piece, that is very much my job. We will respond to the Committee on Climate Change's report and set out a plan to implement NDCs, requiring effort share across Departments.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific steps for assessing policies or compensation but acknowledged the need for inter-departmental efforts.

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Q3 Carla Denyer Green Bristol Central
Climate Foreign Affairs
Context

The Prime Minister is attending COP29 and there are ongoing international discussions on climate action.

Question

What conversations are we having with international partners to bring western nations together in showing equal ambition?

Answer from Kerry McCarthy

We are looking at nature-based solutions and the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will be out there as well. We cannot deal with one crisis in isolation from the other.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific conversations or initiatives but acknowledged the need to address both crises together.

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Q4 Toby Perkins Lab Chesterfield
Climate Energy
Context

A local business in the constituency has invested heavily to become carbon neutral but faces additional costs for grid connections.

Question

What is being done to make additional grid connections affordable and accessible for green businesses like Summer Berry Company?

Answer from Kerry McCarthy

The Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero is involved with that issue. We have set up the energy superpower mission board, headed by Chris Stark. I had a conversation with him about grid capacity and connections in the right places.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific actions or commitments for grid connection affordability but noted ongoing discussions.

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Q5 Jessica Brown-Fuller Lib Dem Chichester
Climate Standards & Ethics
Context

Questions have been raised about the declaration of interests related to Rachel Kyte's appointment.

Question

Was the Secretary of State required to declare Quadrature Capital's £4 million donation to Labour before Rachel Kyte's appointment, and has there been any meeting with directors?

Answer from Kerry McCarthy

I am sure that the shadow Minister will receive a reply to her letter in due course, but I can tell her that Rachel Kyte is extremely well respected and her appointment as our special representative has been welcomed across the board.

Not addressed: The question about declarations was not directly addressed; instead, the Minister emphasized Rachel Kyte's reputation.

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Q6 Joy Morrissey Con Beaconsfield
Climate
Context

The UK is showing leadership at COP29 by announcing an ambitious NDC.

Question

How will the Government's actions domestically reflect their ambition to lead on climate action internationally?

Answer from Kerry McCarthy

I completely agree with my hon. Friend. There is a direct link between taking action to protect the British people at home and leading on climate action abroad.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific domestic plans or commitments but agreed that domestic actions are important for international leadership.

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