Prime Minister Keir Starmer will attend the Cop30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, next month, Downing Street confirmed on Monday, ending weeks of speculation over his attendance. The summit, held in the Amazon rainforest, is considered the most significant UN climate meeting since the Paris agreement in 2015.
Starmer's decision comes despite advice from aides against attending, citing criticism over his frequent foreign travel. However, his spokesperson stated that net zero is "the economic opportunity of the 21st century" and that the UK aims to restore its position as a global leader on climate action. The spokesperson added that Starmer will drive forward the green growth agenda at the summit.
The government has been divided over its green agenda amid rising energy bills and opposition from the Conservatives and Reform UK to net zero targets. Starmer attended last year's Cop in Azerbaijan, and in 2023 he criticised then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for initially declining to attend the Dubai summit.
Since taking office, Labour has reversed a de facto ban on onshore wind and established a new investment body for clean energy. The Financial Times reported last month that aides were split over Starmer's attendance, with some arguing that Reform UK voters do not prioritise climate issues and that media outlets have criticised his overseas trips.
Labour also faces pressure from the Green Party, whose leader Zack Polanski warned that missing the summit would be a "huge abdication of responsibility." Labour MP Polly Billington emphasised that leaders' attendance focuses negotiators on securing the best possible deal.
