Prime Minister Andy Burnham has told world leaders that Britain is “back and ready to play its full part” in tackling climate change, addressing the Cop31 climate summit in Antalya, Turkey. He branded the climate crisis a “national security issue” and one affecting everyone now, following a summer of wildfires.
This year’s summer was the UK’s hottest on record, with back-to-back heatwaves causing disruption to transport, hospitals, and the closure of schools across the country. Mr Burnham reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to its 2050 net zero target and pledged to work with other countries to achieve it.
Prime Minister's First COP Address
In his first COP appearance as UK Prime Minister, Mr Burnham said: “The summer from which Britain recently emerged was not normal. I spent my first three weeks as Prime Minister responding to the worst wildfires Britain has ever experienced. I decided then it was important for me to be here to show British leadership in a world where climate issues have taken too much of a back seat.”
He continued: “The climate crisis is not a distant threat. It is upon us all now, devastating lives and livelihoods everywhere. Meanwhile, two wars across two continents have sent fuel prices and gas bills soaring for families and businesses across the world. The common thread running through all of this: our dependence on fossil fuels.”
New Climate Security Role Announced
During the speech, Mr Burnham announced Dame Madeleine Alessandri as the first UK Special Representative for Climate Security. Her role will involve strengthening international partnerships and ensuring climate and nature risks are treated as a matter of national security, with a focus on identifying risks before they develop into crises.
The announcement came hours after the PM hailed a £12 billion investment in wind farms as “great for billpayers”, with construction set to begin on the Norfolk-coast based projects early next year.
Call for Global Partnership
Mr Burnham told world leaders the crisis can only be solved in “partnership”, adding that Britain was again focused on the environment as the Tories abandoned their climate commitments. He said: “This crisis can only be solved in partnership. I have pledged a new era of British leadership over the next decade. The consensus we once enjoyed on science and climate has gone, and the reality is now the world will breach 1.5 degrees.”
He concluded: “Climate leadership and action have become more urgent. Britain will answer the call. Britain will live up to its commitments. We will help our friends as they live up to theirs. Britain is back and ready to play its full part.”
