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Global Britain: Human Rights and Climate Change
07 September 2021
Lead MP
Hywel Williams
Arfon
PC
Responding Minister
Nigel Adams
Tags
ClimateForeign Affairs
Word Count: 9224
Other Contributors: 12
At a Glance
Hywel Williams raised concerns about global britain: human rights and climate change in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The MP calls on the Government to revisit the concept of an ethical foreign policy that is based on human rights and to ensure that all climate action complies with human rights obligations. He also urges the Minister to detail how the UK will hold countries accountable for their climate change commitments while respecting human rights.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The MP is concerned about the UK's failure to deliver on its climate change commitments, despite declaring an ethical dimension to foreign policy. He notes that the Government has delivered unprecedented cuts to international aid budgets and continued support for hydrocarbon projects, undermining collective climate goals. The MP cites a report stating that between 2019 and 2020, governments worldwide provided more overseas aid funding to fossil fuel projects than to programmes aimed at cutting air pollution. He also mentions the World Health Organisation's prediction of approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year from 2030 to 2050 due to climate change-related factors such as malnutrition and malaria.
Pontypridd
The Welsh Labour Government has taken bold steps to tackle climate change, such as plans for single-use plastics and sustainable housing options. However, the UK Government's trade deals and cuts to policing have negative impacts on communities and modern-day slavery cases.
Chris Law
SNP
Dundee Central
Mr Law expressed concern about the escalating climate emergency, citing extreme weather events and the IPCC report's findings. He highlighted that despite contributing the least to emissions, the world's poorest are most affected by climate change, with over 130 million people predicted to be pushed into poverty within a decade due to climate impacts. Mr Law criticised the UK Government for slashing aid budgets and cancelling programmes like green growth in Indonesia and PROSPER in Malawi, arguing that this undermines efforts to tackle international climate change.
Clive Betts
Lab
Sheffield South East
The guidance was given for Members to wear masks when not speaking, provide space between each other and communicate electronically with officials.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
The right to life and quality of life are impacted by environmental changes, not just in developing countries but also in developed nations. The hon. Member calls for action to address climate change and fulfil commitments under the Paris agreement, including increasing international aid from 0.5% to 0.7%. He urges the Government to recognise the link between environmental and humanitarian obligations.
John Howell
Con
Henley
Stressed the importance of the Council of Europe, highlighting its work on human rights and climate change. Emphasized UK's role in supporting women's rights through the Istanbul convention and the need to keep pressure on Russia regarding climate change obligations.
He congratulated the hon. Gentleman on securing the debate and expressed concern over Britain's position after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, advocating for stronger ties with Europe in security and defence.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
She expressed concern about the UK's failure to secure definitive climate action and highlighted the issue of migration and displacement due to climate change. She noted that over 20 million people are internally displaced annually, citing the UN Refugee Agency's data. Liz Saville-Roberts called for a legal basis for terms like 'climate refugee' to give international protection and rights, and questioned the UK's approach to protecting those displaced by climate change in the UK, such as the community of Fairbourne.
Mick Whitley
Lab
Croydon South
Discussed the severe impact of climate breakdown on Madagascar, where over a million people are reliant on food aid. Highlighted the need for international cooperation to decarbonise developing economies and build resilience against extreme weather events.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
The UK's involvement in Afghanistan highlights the need for a different approach to global leadership, focusing on ethical trade, climate diplomacy, and soft power. The speaker calls for a carbon border adjustment mechanism to ensure responsible trading practices.
Stephen Doughty
Lab Co-op
Cardiff South and Penarth
He expressed concern about the lack of emphasis on climate change in the recent FCDO human rights report, citing numerous examples of environmental disasters worldwide. He also highlighted that 500 million people rely on ecosystem services for income and food security, with natural disaster impacts tripling to 2 billion over the past decade. Stephen Doughty questioned the Government's role in supporting overseas territories affected by climate change and called for a detailed plan on how the promised £11.6 billion will be allocated.
Tom Randall
Con
Wyre Forest
The MP agreed with the lead MP, mentioning his vote against military action in Afghanistan and advocating for internationalizing responses to conflicts, including those related to climate change. He highlighted the need for collective buy-in by the global community to address environmental challenges.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Climate change is a human rights issue, impacting the right to housing, food, water and sanitation among others. The hon. Member highlights the need for new and additional finance for loss and damage caused by climate change and demands that indigenous people's voices be heard and their rights respected in the COP26 decision-making process.
Government Response
Nigel Adams
Government Response
Responded to contributions from MPs on human rights in Afghanistan and climate change. Mentioned the evacuation of 15,000 people from Kabul, including human rights activists, and commitment to resettling 20,000 Afghan nationals under a new scheme. Highlighted the UK's priority of tackling climate change and biodiversity loss as part of its international policy, referencing the Government's integrated review. Stressed the need for ambitious national actions and international collaboration on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Called for all countries to commit to net zero emissions by 2030 and urged donor countries to step up their climate finance commitments. Emphasised the importance of human rights obligations in tackling climate change and supporting vulnerable populations.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.