A cross-party group of influential politicians has urged Rishi Sunak to set an example by attending the UN climate summit this November, as both major parties come under pressure over their net-zero policies.
The group of MPs and peers wants him to commit to attending Cop28 in Dubai, and to appoint a secretary of state as special envoy for the climate ahead of the UN general assembly in September, where preparations will be made for Cop28.
“The UK has an important role to play in leveraging its international influence, and working constructively with all [countries], to help secure an agreed package that clearly names the requirement to phase out all fossil fuels and set goals for the upscaling of renewables,” they wrote, in a letter from the all-party parliamentary group for climate, seen by the Guardian.
“Working to guarantee a successful outcome at Cop28 is not just essential for the health of people and the planet, but economically the right thing for Britain. As the Office for Budget Responsibility advised, continuing to rely on gas at the current level will come at double the cost of transitioning to net zero.
“As you were recently warned by top energy companies, backing away from green policies would be catastrophic for the economy.”
Zac Goldsmith, a former Tory minister who resigned last month, blaming Sunak for his failure to lead on green issues, is the most prominent Conservative among the 23 signatories, which also include the former Labour minister Hilary Benn, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, Daisy Cooper, and the outgoing Green party MP Caroline Lucas. Lord Randall, the former environment advisor to Theresa May, is among the Tories signing, and there were two Scottish National party signatories.
Sunak has faced calls from sections of his party and the media to row back on green commitments after the Tory victory in the Uxbridge byelection last Thursday, where concerns over the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) were judged to be a significant factor. The prime minister said on Monday that green policies must be “proportionate and pragmatic”.
Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has been urged not to retreat on his climate and environment proposals after pledging to “reflect” after the Uxbridge result.
The letter called on Sunak to reject the Rosebank oilfield in the North Sea, which experts have found would do almost nothing for the UK’s energy security but would add substantially to greenhouse gas emissions. The letter also called for a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to halt deforestation by 2030.
Benn, a former environment secretary under Gordon Brown, pointed to a recent report from the climate change committee that found the UK had lost its international leadership on the climate through a series of policy failures.
“The journey to a net-zero Britain offers permanent energy affordability and new economic opportunities across our regions. The country is crying out for this type of change,” Benn said. “Rishi Sunak must heed our advice and get on with the job. Otherwise, Britain will be left behind in the global race to a clean-energy world.”
