-Ace Ϟ ™ Posted November 8, 2022 Posted November 8, 2022 Spin back 12 months to the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow and you couldn't move without tripping over a world leader, a FTSE boss, even the Archbishop of Canterbury. The conference was an enormous affair where hours and hours of negotiations took place about how countries large and small, north and south, could work together to try to slow down climate change and manage its impact. There was another vital ingredient last year though: political energy. There was no doubt that the then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson took the issue seriously. There was a visible desire in the government to act to manage climate change and for the UK to take, and be seen to take, a prominent role. There were some grumbles in the Conservative Party but the political push from the top to grasp the issue last year was strong and clear. The UK had to be at the forefront of tackling climate change, and couldn't afford not to. The dynamics of COP are truly international, and as our climate editor Justin Rowlatt notes here, this week's summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh is likely to see the world's poorer countries pitted against the rich nations who they feel have backtracked on the financial commitments made in Glasgow. A really simple guide to climate change What you can do to reduce carbon emissions The big issues facing Egypt's COP27 climate summit But as leaders touch down this weekend for COP27, is the UK's commitment still as strong? First off, the simple optics of the last few weeks suggest not. There was a straightforward argument against Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's attendance at COP. He's only just moved into No 10 and the economy is in bad shape. Summits are, putting it politely, not always a good use of important people's time. There was also a good case for him to go - to show personal commitment and interest in the subject, and of course to take the opportunity to rub shoulders with other world leaders. LINK
Premium
Recommended Posts