Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Climate Change: International Leadership

Tuesday 29 April 2025 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Climate Change Committee's report on adaptation is due out the day after the exchange.
  • Government is committed to making Britain a clean energy superpower, including lifting the onshore wind ban.
  • Minister welcomes engagement with campaigners and Members of Parliament on climate action.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Warinder Juss Lab Wolverhampton West
Climate
Context

Year 4 children at SS Peter and Paul primary school expressed concern over climate change's impact on their future, citing extreme weather and habitat destruction. The UK experienced its hottest year in 2022 with temperatures exceeding 40°C for the first time.

Question

I recently received letters from year 4 children expressing concern over climate change’s impact on their futures, mentioning extreme weather and destruction of natural habitats. Despite being young, they suggested providing cleaner energy sources like making solar panels more affordable. Will the Secretary of State reassure me and those pupils that we are doing everything we can to be a world leader in tackling climate change and sustaining their future?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Kerry McCarthy)

I am glad that the children are interested in this issue. The Government is doing all it can to make Britain a clean energy superpower, such as lifting the onshore wind ban and setting up Great British Energy. We are also protecting nature and engaging more with young people.

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Q2 Richard Burgon Lab Leeds East
Climate
Context

The UK now plays a leading role internationally on climate action through the global clean power alliance after a decade of failure that exposed areas to high gas prices. The Government is standing up against climate deniers.

Question

It is welcome to see the Government’s leadership in international climate action, especially after a decade of failure that left us exposed to soaring gas prices. I will be introducing a Bill to make the biggest polluters pay for climate action at home and abroad. Will the Secretary of State commit to meeting his Department with charities and NGOs working on fair and just climate financing?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Kerry McCarthy)

I welcome my hon. Friend’s support. We are doing all we can to mobilise climate financing in support of the new collective goal agreed at COP29. I would be more than happy to meet him and campaigners when he is ready.

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Q3 Lincoln Jopp Con Spelthorne
Climate Energy Environment
Context

The Government's solar road map has disappointingly little about floating solar, an efficient and beneficial renewable energy source. My constituency stores half of London’s drinking water on raised reservoirs.

Question

One area where we could show significant leadership is in the sphere of floating solar, which comes with huge benefits. Floating solar is twice as efficient as land-based systems and actually improves water quality underneath them. However, I hear that the Government’s solar road map has disappointingly little about floating solar. Would the Secretary of State agree to meet me to discuss this further, prior to publication?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Kerry McCarthy)

As I understand it, the solar road map has not yet been published. I have had conversations with international counterparts interested in floating solar and would be happy to get a more detailed response on our plans.

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Q4 Carla Denyer Green Bristol Central
Climate
Context

The Climate Change Committee’s report on adaptation is due out tomorrow. Local authorities and major infrastructure providers need to carry out climate risk assessments.

Question

Global leadership is about both mitigation and adaptation. Does the Minister expect the Climate Change Committee’s report on adaptation, due out tomorrow, to say that the Government are doing enough? Furthermore, will she show real leadership by requiring local authorities and major infrastructure providers to carry out climate risk assessments?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Kerry McCarthy)

I cannot pre-empt what is in the report. We will wait for it to come out, and then respond in due course. On local leadership, I would be very happy to discuss with Bristol how we can set an example on climate resilience.

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