Andy Burnham commits to 2050 net zero target and promises 'leadership' on tackling climate crisis

Detailed summary

Addressing the Cop31 climate summit in Antalya, Turkey, the PM branded the climate crisis a 'national security issue', and one hitting all of us now after a summer of wildfires

Andy Burnham has promised 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, the PM branded the climate crisis a “national security issue”, and one hitting all of the UK after a summer of wildfires.

This year’s summer was the UK’s hottest on record, with back-to-back heatwaves causing issues with transport, hospitals, and the closure of schools across the country.

Mr Burnham also promised the UK is committed to meeting its 2050 net zero target and pledged to work with other countries to reach it.

He 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.

“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.

“The message I carry here at my first COP as UK Prime Minister is this: we are committed to meeting our 2050 net zero target, and committed to working with all of our partners to reach theirs.”

It comes just hours after the PM hailed a £12billion investment in wind farms as "great for billpayers", with construction set to begin on the Norfolk-coast based projects early next year.

During the speech, Mr Burnham also 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.

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